A small helicopter crashed into the waters near Miami, Florida, shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday, leaving two people injured and a third person believed dead. The aircraft went down near Nixon Beach, off Key Biscayne, where Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews, rescue boats and divers responded. Two survivors were pulled from the water and taken for further medical care, while the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Emergency crews continued searching the wreckage as officials worked to determine whether anyone else was unaccounted for. The extent of the survivors’ injuries was not immediately known.
| 1) | Crash reported near Nixon Beach |
| 2) | Two survivors rescued from the water |
| 3) | Third occupant believed to have died |
| 4) | Firefighters and divers search the wreckage |
| 5) | Investigation into the cause continues |
Crash reported near Nixon Beach
The helicopter crashed in the waters near Nixon Beach, off Key Biscayne, shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The aircraft was described as a small helicopter, and the crash occurred near the 1200 block of Crandon Boulevard. The incident brought emergency responders to an area close to Miami, where the helicopter came down in the water rather than on land.
The circumstances immediately before the crash were not disclosed. Officials had not announced the aircraft’s operator, destination or the identities of the people aboard. Those details were expected to form part of the continuing investigation.
Two survivors rescued from the water
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded after the crash and rescued two people from the water. The survivors were reported to have suffered injuries, although the severity of those injuries was not immediately available.
Authorities said three patients were reported in total. Two adult trauma alert patients were transported by ground rescue units from Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue to a designated landing zone. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s air rescue team then transported them to the main trauma center for treatment.
Third occupant believed to have died
A third person was believed to have died in the crash, according to information provided by authorities and local reporting. Aerial footage from the scene showed officials near a yellow tarp covering an apparent victim.
The reported fatality had not been formally identified in the available information. Officials were also working to establish the full sequence of events and confirm the number of people aboard the helicopter.
Firefighters and divers search the wreckage
Rescue boats and divers searched the water near the wreckage as emergency personnel secured the scene. Aerial images showed yellow emergency floats from the helicopter in the water near a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue boat, with divers operating nearby.
The response involved multiple local fire and rescue agencies. Their work focused on recovering people, checking the submerged wreckage and determining whether additional occupants or evidence remained in the water. It was not immediately clear whether anyone else was missing.
Investigation into the cause continues
The cause of the crash remained under investigation Wednesday. Investigators were expected to examine the helicopter, the wreckage location and witness or emergency-response information as they sought to determine what happened.
Because the crash occurred in the water, recovery and examination efforts depended on divers and rescue crews working around the submerged aircraft. Officials had not announced a preliminary finding or identified any mechanical, weather-related or operational factor.
| 1 | The helicopter crashed near Nixon Beach off Key Biscayne shortly after 11 a.m. |
| 2 | Two people were rescued and transported for medical treatment. |
| 3 | A third person was believed to have died. |
| 4 | Divers and rescue boats searched the wreckage in the water. |
| 5 | The cause of the crash and whether anyone else was missing had not been determined. |
Summary
A helicopter crash near Key Biscayne triggered a coordinated water rescue involving local fire departments, boats and divers. Two adults survived and were taken for trauma care, while a third occupant was believed to have died. Officials continued recovery and investigative work as details about the aircraft and the cause of the crash remained unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the helicopter crash?
The helicopter crashed in the waters near Nixon Beach, off Key Biscayne, close to the 1200 block of Crandon Boulevard near Miami.
How many people were rescued?
Two people were rescued from the water and transported for medical treatment. Their injuries were reported, but their conditions were not immediately known.
What is known about the cause?
The cause remained under investigation, and officials had not announced a preliminary explanation for the crash.
