Helicopter crashes into Biscayne Bay near Miami

A helicopter crash in Biscayne Bay killed one person and injured two others on Wednesday. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office reported the incident occurred shortly before noon near Bill Baggs State Park, off the coast of Key Biscayne. The U.S. Coast Guard verified the death of one occupant and confirmed that the remaining two were transported to a trauma center for treatment.

The aircraft was a Robinson R44 II, a light helicopter often used for private transport and sightseeing. Preliminary data from the National Transportation Safety Board suggests the plane was conducting a photography flight at the time of the accident. Officials have not yet released the names of the three individuals aboard.

The crash followed a routine trajectory for the day, which began with the aircraft taking off for a scheduled aerial shoot. By early afternoon, the machine had descended into the water. Emergency responders, including Coast Guard units and firefighters from multiple local departments, arrived at the scene to secure the area and assist the survivors.

Video footage captured by local news channels shows the helicopter resting upside down in the bay. Two yellow emergency floats were visible attached to the landing skids. These devices are standard equipment designed to keep the airframe buoyant during water landings, but the aircraft still went beneath the surface.

The NTSB is expected to lead the investigation into the mechanical and environmental factors that contributed to the crash. Local agencies are coordinating with the federal board to gather debris and witness accounts from the shoreline. The bay remains a focal point for recovery efforts as teams work to retrieve the wreckage.

No immediate cause has been announced for the failure. The sheriff's office is processing the scene while the Coast Guard manages water traffic in the area. The two injured occupants remain at the trauma center, and officials are monitoring their conditions as they recover from the impact.