Influencer Known For Stunts Piloted Helicopter That Plummeted, Crashed In OC

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — The pilot and owner of the helicopter that crashed perilously close to an oceanfront Orange County hotel was identified, according to media reports.

Eric Nixon, an influencer known for his daredevil aviation stunts, was piloting the helicopter when it crashed Saturday afternoon next to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort, a family member confirmed to The Orange County Register.

"He's in the hospital with some broken ribs, crushed vertebrae and several bruises," Redlands resident and Nixon's son-in-law Jerry Miller told the newspaper.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the pilot was known for leaning into thrills during some of his flights.

Video on the pilot's Instagram, which has since been removed, showed several low-altitude maneuvers, including some that appear to come very close to vehicles and buildings.

The crash was reported at about 2:10 p.m. Saturday next to the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa at 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard.

The plummet happened as helicopters were landing at the beach ahead of Sunday's Cars and Copters on the Coast, an exotic car and helicopter showcase.

The helicopter was associated with the event, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

In addition to Nixon and another person in the helicopter with him, a child and two adults were injured on the ground. All five were hospitalized, but no official information was released about their injuries.

A GoFundMe account, which could not be independently verified, identified the youngest victim and said the boy was in a hospital with a collapsed lung and brain bleed.

Bystanders' videos showed the helicopter spinning out of control until it fell to the ground and wound up lodged in some palm trees after lopping off the top of one as it went down by a pedestrian bridge over Pacific Coast Highway.

The bridge remained closed Monday morning, according to a front desk receptionist at the Hyatt, which remained open throughout the ordeal.

The chopper, which is now fenced off, was a 1980 Bell 222 helicopter that took off from Redlands Municipal Airport, the Aviation Safety Network reported.

"At approximately 2:00 p.m., Huntington Beach police officers responded to reports of a helicopter going down in the beach parking lot between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard," the city of Huntington Beach said in a statement Saturday on Facebook. "HBPD and HBFD personnel immediately arrived on scene and contained the area. Five people were transported to the hospital for treatment. The FAA and NTSB have been notified, and the investigation remains ongoing."

Inquiries sent to both federal agencies were returned with messages saying that due to the federal shutdown, replies might not be forthcoming.

The fund-raising Cars and Copters event, which is free for spectators, supports the Huntington Beach Police & Community Foundation.

City News Service contributed to this report.