Accidents
Tour Helicopter Crashes on Catalina
Eurocopter AS 350D, Avalon, Calif., May 24, 2008–N67GE, operated by Island Express Helicopters under Part 135, crashed while landing at Sa

Eurocopter AS 350D, Avalon, Calif., May 24, 2008–N67GE, operated by Island Express Helicopters under Part 135, crashed while landing at Santa Catalina island. The commercial-certified pilot, a company employee and a passenger were killed and three other passengers were seriously injured.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud pop and seeing flames emanating from the back of the engine before the helicopter crashed and burned. A surviving passenger said that just after the loud pop, the pilot told them that he was going to autorotate.