US: Helicopter crashes, becomes fireball before hitting highway
Babushahi Bureau
Sacramento (US), October 7, 2025: A medical helicopter crashed on Highway-50 in Sacramento, California, Monday evening, leaving three crew members seriously injured. The aircraft lost control shortly after takeoff and fell onto the highway in a fiery impact, sparking widespread panic. Fortunately, no one on the ground was hurt.
Several videos circulating on social media show the helicopter spinning dangerously in the air before engulfed in flames, it slammed onto the highway.
Details of the Incident
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. near Howe Avenue on the eastbound lane of Highway-50. The helicopter belonged to REACH Air Medical Services and had just taken off from UC Davis Medical Center. No patients were on board at the time; only the pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic were aboard—all sustained serious injuries.
One crew member was trapped under debris and had to be rescued with the help of the Sacramento Fire Department and bystanders.
Highway Closure and Investigation
The crash caused both lanes of Highway-50 to be closed, creating a traffic jam stretching for several kilometers.
Federal authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. It remains unclear whether the incident resulted from technical failure or another factor.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarthy described the accident as “extremely horrific” and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. This incident raises renewed concerns over the safety protocols of air medical services, and investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.