12:51 PM PT -- The FAA tells TMZ ... "A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near Miami Beach, Fla., under unknown circumstances at approximately 1:20 PM local time today. Three persons were onboard. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates."
A helicopter went down in Miami -- crash landing in the ocean, no less ... and mere feet from swimmers.
The accident happened Saturday afternoon in South Beach, with Miami Beach PD releasing surveillance footage that shows the moment the chopper starts to descend from the sky.
South Beach Miami Helicopter crash pic.twitter.com/6dmdGFx2pB
— iggy luko (@LukoIggy) February 19, 2022
As you can see, it comes into frame out of nowhere ... and then heads straight down into the water incredibly close to the shore. Indeed, it appears there were people out by where the aircraft ended up touching down. Fortunately, it doesn't look like any of them were hit.
People were expectedly shocked from the sight, and it looks like the authorities responded quickly. Jet skis on hand immediately rode out to the site, and eventually ... boats arrived on the scene as well to fish out the passengers and to clear the area.
Helicopter remains sunken off of South Beach. #miamibeach pic.twitter.com/eJbRG3iPoR
— South Beach News (@sobenews) February 19, 2022
So far, only two have been hospitalized ... they're said to have actually been in the helicopter, and they were transported in stable condition.
No word on any other injuries so far, or what may have caused this to happen in the first place. It's also unclear what sort of a helicopter this is ... commercial, private or otherwise.
I’m sittin on south beach Miami… a fuckin helicopter has just crashed into the sea in front of us… pic.twitter.com/U2RCcy63Ot
— stan the man (@StanthemanAVFC) February 19, 2022
The FAA has been looped in, and an investigation in underway.
Originally Published -- 12:44 PM PT