November 5, 2026- Det. Daniel Castillo- [email protected](305)471-1900
November 4, 2026-
MDSO Helicopter Crash UPDATE #1
MIAMI-DADE (NOVEMBER 4, 2026)-
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) received a mayday distress call regarding a helicopter down in the water off of Nixon Beach in Biscayne Bay.
MDSO Marine Patrol units responded and observed a Good Samaritan on a boat providing CPR to the adult male victim. MDSO Marine Patrol units took over the lifesaving efforts and brought the victim to the dock at No Name Harbor. City of Miami Fire Rescue arrived, and despite the efforts provided, the victim was pronounced deceased on scene.
While MDSO was assisting the victim, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations located two injured adult male victims from the helicopter and transported them to the dock at No Name Harbor. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) airlifted both victims to a local hospital in critical, but stable condition.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the commercial helicopter was filming boats as they were heading south. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration. MDSO Homicide Bureau detectives have assumed the death investigation.
We’re grateful to all of our partners in providing mutual aid Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Key Biscayne Police Department, Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, and Florida Wildlife Commission.
UPDATE #1
The deceased has been identified below, and we can also confirm that he was the pilot of the helicopter. The other two individuals were occupants on the aircraft. They sustained minor injuries and are no longer hospitalized. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Homicide Bureau would like to speak to the Good Samaritan to thank them for their swift actions and lifesaving efforts.
Case Info
Topic: Helicopter Crash
Case #: PD261104-310292
Date & Time of Occurrence: 11/04/2026 at approx. 11:30 a.m.
Address of Occurrence: Biscayne Bay
Victims(s) Info:
Deceased #1:
Victim's Name: Tomas Pendas
Victim's Age: 9/9/1963
Victim #1:
Victim's Name: Ryan McCoy
Victim's Age: 3/1/1974
Victim #2:
Victim's Name: Ryan Ferraro
Victim's Age: 3/31/1999
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Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office
Fred Taylor Headquarters - 9105 NW 25th Street, Doral, FL 33172
