Oliver Holland, 11, Injured After Helicopter Spiraled Out of Control and Crashed Along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach During Cars ‘N Copters Fundraiser —> GoFundMe Created To Support Victim
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA (October 23, 2025) – An 11-year-old boy identified as Oliver Holland was injured in a Huntington Beach helicopter crash at a pedestrian bridge along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Orange County officials are saying that the accident took place around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. A helicopter was hovering in the air over a parking lot between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard.
The helicopter was apparently part of a Cars ‘N Copters fundraising event for local law enforcement. Video footage of the event shows the helicopter become unstable before it begins spiraling towards the ground.
It crashed into multiple palm trees in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Multiple passengers in the helicopter and bystanders on the ground were injured in the crash.
Paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene to help. Oliver Holland was listed as one of the victims. He was taken to the hospital with major injuries, including brain bleed and a collapsed lung.
In total, five people were hospitalized following the crash. The cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.
You can help support Oliver Holland and his family through GoFundMe. According to the online fundraiser, “We are praying for a safe recovery and we can’t really say anything else. We don’t know what is going to happen. Oliver was the smartest, funniest boy I have ever known. I pray for my brother and a safe recovery. We want to spread awareness of this, and anything can help.”
Liability for Huntington Beach Helicopter Crashes
Helicopters are considered common carriers in California. Their pilots are lawfully required to operate with an abundance of caution to avoid accidents. According to the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, “Common carriers must carry passengers [or property] safely. Common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person. They must do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers [or property].” Companies that operate helicopters must take several measures to prevent crashes.
- Rigorous Training: Every helicopter pilot should be required to undergo rigorous training. This should include real-world flight training and training for emergency procedures.
- Aircraft Maintenance: Helicopters should undergo routine inspections and maintenance compliant with all OEM and FAA guidelines.
- Flight Planning: Pilots should conduct a risk assessment before every flight. This assessment should take into consideration wind and weather conditions. They must also receive up-to-date meteorological briefings as the weather changes.
- Technology: Helicopters should be equipped with a terrain awareness system (TAWS) that properly warns the pilot of potential terrain collisions.
Helicopter pilots must take certain precautions to keep their passengers and the public safe. This includes maintaining a safe altitude at all times. Pursuant to 14 CFR § 91.119, helicopters must operate at an altitude that allows them to make a safe emergency landing that does not endanger any person or property below the helicopter. If a helicopter pilot was operating too close to the ground and unable to perform an emergency landing safely, this may be construed as negligence.
Third-Party Liability for Orange County Helicopter Crashes
The vast majority of helicopter accidents involve pilot error. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, “Eighty-five percent of the accidents were pilot-related with 15 percent mechanical-related. While fatal accidents increased—ending a two-year trend—the increase was minimal with 14 fatal accidents in 2016, up from 11 in 2015.” Of course, pilots could be liable for collisions. But there could also be numerous additional sources of liability.
- Business Owner: The company that was operating a helicopter for a business purpose could be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, employers in California can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
- Helicopter Owner: The owner of any commercial vehicle could also bear some level of responsibility for a collision. Vehicle owners may be liable for accidents if they lawfully allow third parties to use their equipment.
- Helicopter Manufacturers: The company that manufactured a helicopter or its component parts could be legally responsible for a helicopter crash. This is particularly true when a defect with the helicopter causes it to malfunction and spiral towards the ground. For example, a rotor or gearbox failure could cause a sudden loss of lift or control.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any helicopter crash. These accidents can be highly complex and involve liability on multiple parties. The factors that contribute to any particular accident could take place months beforehand. It is vital that victims understand that they do have legal options. They are able to seek some measure of justice and accountability through a civil action. Damages in a civil claim can help cover all of the medical bills and suffering caused by any accident.
Investigating Huntington Beach Helicopter Crashes
We at Carrazco Law extend our best wishes to Oliver Holland and his family. It is our sincere hope that he and the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong and why this helicopter was flying so low in the first place. Many questions remain unanswered. When was the last time this helicopter was properly serviced? What is the safety record of the pilot involved?
Do you need more information about a Huntington Beach helicopter crash? Our team of helicopter accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. We are familiar with all of the aviation and flight regulations related to the operation of helicopters across California. Our team can investigate your case free of cost and let you know if human error, mechanical malfunctions, or some other issue contributed to a crash. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
