One person died and two were hurt when a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in Biscayne Bay off Key Biscayne on Wednesday. The NTSB is leading the investigation.

One person died and two were hurt when a helicopter crashed into Biscayne Bay off Key Biscayne late Wednesday morning.

Three people were on board the Robinson R44, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.

What the agencies said

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement:

“@USCG, partner agencies responded to a helicopter crash, Wed, on Biscayne Bay at approx. 11:30 a.m. 3 people were on the aircraft. 1 person is reported deceased & 2 people were transported by EMS to a higher level of care. We will update as more info is available.”

The statement was carried word for word by NBC 6 South Florida and WPLG Local 10.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded at 11:26 a.m. to a helicopter crash near Bill Baggs State Park. That is at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, about eight miles southeast of downtown Miami. “A total of three patients were reported,” the department said, in a statement carried by NBC 6.

Three fire departments answered the call, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office:

  • Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
  • City of Miami Fire Rescue
  • Key Biscayne Fire Rescue

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating, in a statement carried by Local 10.

The aircraft and the investigation

The FAA’s statement said a Robinson R44 “crashed in the water east of Miami Executive Airport in Florida around 11:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Nov. 4.”

The FAA and the NTSB will both investigate. The FAA said the NTSB “will lead the investigation and provide all updates.”

Preliminary information indicates the helicopter, a Robinson R44 II, appeared to be on a photography flight, the NTSB said, as reported by CNN.

The agencies have not named the three people on board. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

The times given so far differ by a few minutes between agencies: about 11:15 a.m. from the FAA, 11:26 a.m. from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and about 11:30 a.m. from the Coast Guard.

What it means for you

  • What comes next: the FAA says it posts a preliminary report on a general aviation crash, usually on the next business day, on its accident statements page.
  • Who gives updates: the NTSB will provide updates on the investigation, the FAA said. For a general aviation crash, the FAA refers questions about the names and conditions of those on board to the local agencies that responded.

This page will be updated as the agencies release more information. For other emergency calls in the city and county, see our Police and Fire log.