Overview
- A Robinson R44 II used for aerial photography plunged into Biscayne Bay off Key Biscayne on Wednesday, leaving the aircraft overturned with its flotation devices visible on the surface.
- The pilot, Tomas Pendas, 63, was pronounced dead at the scene after a Good Samaritan and first responders tried to revive him.
- Two passengers, identified as Ryan McCoy, 52, and Ryan Ferraro, 27, were pulled from the water, airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, and have since been treated with McCoy discharged and Ferraro remaining in intensive care in later reports.
- Multiple local and federal crews including Miami‑Dade Fire Rescue, Key Biscayne and City of Miami units, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the rescue and salvage effort that recovered the submerged wreckage on Nov. 6 for forensic examination.
- The NTSB is leading the probe and will examine the pilot, the aircraft and environmental factors after flight‑tracking data showed the chopper departed North Perry Airport and circled near Key Biscayne while filming a poker‑run boat event; investigators warn a final report could take up to 18 months.