A helicopter crash in Huntington Beach, California, left two people trapped in the wreckage and three others injured on the ground, city officials confirmed Saturday. One of the victims, Sgt. Charles C. Mitts, 42, of Spring, Texas, later died from his injuries at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
According to Huntington Beach officials, the helicopter went down near the beach shortly after 2 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggling to maintain altitude before striking a row of palm trees and crashing into a small structure close to the shoreline.
Emergency crews arrived within minutes, finding the helicopter heavily damaged and partially lodged among the trees. Two occupants were pulled from the wreckage and transported to nearby hospitals. Three people on the ground were also treated for injuries, which officials described as non-life-threatening.
Mitts, the oldest of the five men on board, was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died about 9 p.m. Wednesday night, said hospital spokeswoman Ann Brimberry. His death brings the total number of fatalities in the crash to one.
Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada announced that Mitts had been posthumously promoted from his current rank. “Sgt. Mitts served his country with honor, courage, and professionalism,” Moncada said in a statement. “He was a dedicated soldier, respected by all who served with him.”
Mitts had a distinguished military career, including a deployment to Iraq from September 2006 to September 2007 with Company C of the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment, based in Topeka, Kansas. Colleagues described him as a steady presence and a natural leader who brought calm under pressure.
Residents who witnessed the crash said it was a terrifying sight. “The helicopter looked like it was trying to make an emergency landing,” said Brian Keller, who was nearby at the time. “Then it hit the palm trees and came down hard. You could see pieces flying everywhere.”
The Huntington Beach Fire Department quickly secured the area, with firefighters and police officers working together to prevent a fuel fire and assist victims. City officials later thanked first responders for their “swift and heroic actions” that likely prevented more serious injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash. Early reports suggest a possible mechanical failure, but officials emphasized that it may take several weeks before a preliminary finding is released.
Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr offered condolences to Mitts’ family and all affected by the tragedy. “This community stands with the loved ones of Sgt. Mitts and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking event,” she said. “His service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
As of Thursday, the crash site had been cleared, and investigators continued to analyze recovered debris. The tragedy has left both Huntington Beach residents and the military aviation community mourning the loss of a respected soldier and dedicated pilot.
The three others on board the UH-60 Black Hawkwere injured in the accident. The pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew J. Smith, 41, of Leander, and 1st Lt. Ellis W. Taylor, 31, of Buda, were in stable condition Thursday at Brooke Army Medical Center. Sgt. Richard D. Ravenscraft, 24, of Austin, also was initially listed as critical but upgraded to stable in College Station.
The accident is under investigation by the Combat Readiness/Safety Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, home of the U.S. Army Aviation Center. “They have a reputation for extreme thoroughness and quickness,” said Texas Guard Capt. Adam Collett. The probe team will review the wrecked helicopter and debris scattered on Duncan Field next to Duncan Dining Hall, near the Corps of Cadets field on the school’s College Station campus, about 100 miles northwest of Houston, Texas. “Every piece the way it landed is still in place,” said Texas Army National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada, adding that investigators began the expert examination of evidence Wednesday morning.
As part of a five-ship training exercise, the Blackhawk helicopter was performing a training demonstration for about 190 Corps of Cadets in the ROTC Rudder’s Rangers Annual Winter Field Training Exercises. It was also used to transfer the students to Duncan Field just off George Bush Drive. When the helicopter was attempting to take off, a rudder reportedly malfunctioned. “At first, it looked like he was hot-dogging and then very quickly it was obvious he was in trouble and not messing around. All of a sudden he dropped straight back down into the ground,” Scott Walker Walker, publications manager for the A&M Association of Former Students said. “There was a bunch of people on Duncan Field and everyone went running and diving for cover,” he added. The aircraft entered a rotational spin upon take off and plummeted down on its
