Catalina Helicopter Crash Highlights Risks of Island Medevac Flights
A medical evacuation chopper carrying Catalina Romero, pilot, and nurse Jessica Devries crashed into the ocean shortly after takeoff, killing all three; federal investigators are assessing causes including night flying, spatial disorientation, and the island’s challenging Pebbly Beach heliport.
When Catalina Romero arrived at Catalina Island’s emergency room with a severe allergic reaction, officials arranged a medical evacuation helicopter from Oceanside. Moments after takeoff from Pebbly Beach heliport, the Eurocopter EC135 P2 crashed into the ocean, killing Romero, pilot (name unreleased), and medevac nurse Jessica Devries, 48. Her eldest son and another passenger were injured and remain hospitalized.
Analysis from the National Transportation Safety Board shows 42 accidents and 30 fatalities at Catalina Airport since 1982. While most crashes involve sightseeing or private aircraft, professionals conducting lifesaving medevacs face rarer but serious risks. The island’s mountain-top airport and Pebbly Beach heliport present challenges: crowned runway illusions, steep drop-offs, turbulence, fog, and night-flight hazards such as spatial disorientation over water.
The recent crash occurred after dark, following battery delays and an unapproved departure. Flight data show the helicopter climbed only 175 feet before rapidly descending. Rescuers recovered four people from the water; Romero was found later in the wreckage. Island leaders emphasize the trade-offs of isolation, air transport as essential, routine, and often faster than mainland alternatives.
Source: LA Times: California
Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.
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