KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – A Robinson R-44, a four-seat light helicopter, crashed into the water on Saturday afternoon near Key Biscayne.
According to The Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot, who was alone, reported engine issues before crashing at about 1:50 p.m. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed off the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Sheridan Flynn shared a photo of a partially submerged helicopter on the X platform.
“Just witnessed a helicopter crash into water just off Key Biscayne,” Flynn wrote on X. “Hope the occupants got out OK.”
Some beachgoers at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park reported hearing a loud noise. Apartment residents with water views off Crandon Park said they saw fire rescue and police officers.
“Looked like the chopper had been flying low and very close to the water just prior to the crash,” Flynn wrote on X. “Emergency services and civilian watercraft responded extremely quickly.”
A police marine unit reported rescuing the pilot, according to fire rescue scanner traffic. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel reported the pilot suffered minor injuries and did not need to go to the hospital.
The FAA and the NTSB were set to investigate the crash.
This is a developing story. Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Joyce Grace Ortega contributed to this report.