Helicopter Plunges Into Biscayne Bay, Killing One

A helicopter plunged into Biscayne Bay on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring two others in a crash that occurred shortly before noon. The accident took place near Bill Baggs State Park, off the coast of Key Biscayne, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

U.S. Coast Guard officials confirmed that one of the three people aboard was pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two occupants were transported to a trauma center for treatment. While officials had not yet released the names of the victims, the NTSB stated that preliminary data suggests the Robinson R44 II was engaged in a photography flight at the time of the incident.

Television footage captured the aftermath, showing the aircraft resting upside down underwater. The wreckage featured two yellow emergency floats attached to the landing skids, a system intended to keep the helicopter afloat during a water landing. Firefighters from several local agencies joined the Coast Guard in the response effort.

The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash. The agency noted that the preliminary information points to the flight purpose as photography, though a final determination is pending. The bay area near Key Biscayne is a common route for such operations.