A helicopter crash in Miami's Biscayne Bay resulted in one fatality and two individuals sustaining critical injuries. The incident occurred when a Robinson R44 helicopter, en route from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines, went down near Key Biscayne on Wednesday morning.
The deceased has been identified as the pilot, Tomas Pendas, 63. The passengers were Ryan McCoy and Ryan Ferraro.
A mayday call was received by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) marine agents at approximately 11:30 a.m., following a report from a witness who saw the helicopter crash. A separate distress call was also made to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
The aircraft had departed Pembroke Pines at 10:48 a.m. and was reportedly chartered for filming boats. Its last recorded position was in the area at approximately 11:17 a.m.
Dramatic footage captured the aftermath, showing the overturned aircraft floating in the water. Miami Marine agents were seen pulling a soaking-wet passenger to safety. Both surviving passengers were later located and transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where they are in critical but stable condition.
A multi-agency response, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, and sheriff's deputies, was involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. The deceased pilot was brought ashore, where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the cause of the crash. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau detectives are handling the death investigation.