A private touring helicopter operated by Island Express crashed at approximately 9:25 this morning in the rainy weather, killing 3 and injuring 3 more. According to KFWB, the crash took place "on the west end of the island and caused a small fire that was quickly doused." The chopper hit the ground near the Banning House Lodge in Avalon. It is believed the the engine failed while flying over Isthmus cove. KNBC.com describes the incident......

Photo by Marshall Astor via Flickr Seven people have been detained at the scene after two bullets struck a Los Angeles County Sheriff's helicopter that was responding to a 11 p.m. robbery call last night in Carson. Bullets hit the belly and tail area, forcing it to perform an emergency landing at the Carson station. It did so safely without incident and the helicopter is still able to fly. Then, at about 3:00 a.m.,......

Yesterday, two men visiting Los Angeles took a hike in Griffith Park and before they knew it, it was dark. Probably not a place for night hiking if don't know your way around, especially with the constant tease of being within sight of the city lights below, but many cliff jumps away. Eventually, they were on their cell phone with park rangers trying to find their way back to their car, but after some time,......

Location of the 'Batcave' in Bronson Canyon where two hikers are being rescued A cliff rescue operation began early this afternoon in Griffith Park shortly before 2:00 p.m. One of two hikers in need of assistance alerted the Los Angeles Fire Department that they were in need of help. A female hiker, approximately 24 years in age, was unconscious and in serious condition, according to d'Lisa Davies, LAFD Spokesperson. The male hiker was found......

An LAPD helicopter made an emergency landing today on San Vicente Blvd near the library in West Hollywood. The chopper opted to touch down in the untraditional spot when a warning light went on, signaling "an oil pressure problem in the engine, and possible loss of engine power," reports cbs2.com. No one was injured, and the helicopter will now be inspected to see what caused the light to go off. Photo of an unrelated chopper......

At 11:13 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department alerted of a small helicopter has crashed at the southbound 110 Freeway and Century Blvd. One person was dead on board the fiery crash. Fire officials are describing it as a "small, private type, possibly home made type" aircraft. "The Federal Aviation Administration and California Highway Patrol would investigate the cause of the accident.," reports the LA Times. "The Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County......

Frequent LAist Featured Photos Pool contributer Jonathan Alcorn (aka Sundogg) shares with us this incredible shot from yesterday of the efforts to locate a young boy who went missing in the waters off Point Mugu. He explains:Jan 12, 2008 - Point Mugu , CA, USA - A search and rescue diver jumps from a Ventura County Fire Dept helicopter to continue recovery efforts for the body of a 17-year-old boy who was swept off......

As the early crowd began to show up at bars in Hollywood last night, a few blocks away at Highland and Sunset at Hollywood High School one of the 17 or so LAPD Airships was making an emergency landing on the football field due to mechanical problems around 9:40 p.m. It landed safely and no injuries were reported according to Cecil Manresa, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman. The LAPD reports that the helicopter is still......

- Among several persons being promoted, Chief Bratton will present a commander’s badge to Captain Sandy Jo MacArthur, who will become the first woman on LAPD to oversee all training functions in the police department as the commanding officer of Training Group. - 77 sworn officers, 25 civilian personnel, 18 helicopters, one airplane, over 18,000 hours of flight time a year and the largest rooftop heliport in the United States of America. Congrats to......