6 people presumed dead after helicopter crashes in California's Mojave Desert en route to Las Vegas area

The Eurocopter EC130 was en route to Boulder City, Nevada, south of Vegas

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Helicopter crashed on Feb. 6 in California

Six people are presumed dead after a helicopter crashed in the California section of the Mojave Desert on Friday, authorities say.

The crash happened at around 10 p.m. Friday local time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Fox News Digital that the helicopter was an Eurocopter EC130, and that six people were on board.

The crash happened near Nipton, California, which is right along the California-Nevada border, east of Interstate 15, near Halloran Springs Road, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.

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The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department told local outlets that the helicopter departed Palm Springs Airport at around 8:45 p.m. on Friday. It was en route to Boulder City, Nevada before it crashed. Boulder City is roughly 26 miles away from Las Vegas.

Mojave Desert at dusk

Dusk settles in over the desert landscape, roughly 10 miles north of Nipton, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images / File)

There was reportedly rainy and snowy weather at the time of the crash.

Authorities have been searching for survivors, but none have been found. No victims have been identified.

"The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate," a statement from the FAA read. "The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide any updates."

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Mojave Desert landscape with Joshua trees

Rugged grasslands with Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert landscape. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images / File)

The NTSB told Fox News Digital that its investigators will arrive at the scene on Saturday.

"They will document the scene and examine the aircraft," an NTSB spokesperson explained. "The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation."

Fox News Digital reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for more information, but has not heard back.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Andrea Vacchiano is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. You can follow her on X at @andrea_vacch or send story tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Authored by Andrea Vacchiano via FoxNews February 10th 2024