A California man plummeted to his death on Tuesday, shortly after lifting off in a rented helicopter he'd hired to take him on a tour of the coast.
Investigators are currently looking into whether the event was an accident or suicide, the pilot's father told the Associated Press.
The helicopter was flying about 500 feet over the greater Newport Beach area when 61-year-old Gregory McFadden opened the door of the aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Ian Gregor told AP.
The West Covina resident then plunged into the water near the Balboa Island Pier. Law enforcement officials flying helicopters in the vicinity were alerted of the situation, and began searching for McFadden in the water. He was rescued by lifeguards nearby, who called emergency response crews to rush him to a nearby hospital. Despite these efforts, the 61-year-old died at the medical facility, according to Newport Beach police spokesperson Jennifer Manzella.
The son of longtime helicopter pilot and local traffic reporter Chuck Street was flying the helicopter. According to Street, his son Corbin reported that McFadden scheduled a 30-minute tour for two, but arrived by himself.
Street reported to KCAL-TV that as McFadden insisted Corbin fly higher into the air, the young Street become skeptical of the passenger's intentions. As the helicopter flew over the pier, McFadden removed his safety belt and moved to open the door. Corbin reportedly grabbed a hold of McFadden, struggling to pin him back down to the seat.
"The guy started to struggle, the aircraft kind of pitched up...my son had his hand on his shirt, his shirt ripped and the guy just went out the door," Street said. "He could have taken my son with him."
