The tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10 which resulted in the death of six people, deeply shocked the Big Apple and raised new concerns about the safety of aerial tours.
The company involved, New York Helicopter Charter Inc., announced the immediate suspension of its operations, while authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration FAA, initiated a thorough review of the company’s license.
The disaster, which involved a Bell 206 helicopter, was dramatically captured by several videos showing the aircraft losing altitude and plunging into the water, followed by the separation of a rotor blade. Among the victims was Agustín Escobar, an executive from the technology company Siemens, along with his wife and three children. Despite the swift intervention of divers, there was no possibility of saving the occupants of the aircraft. While the cause of the crash remains unknown, some aviation experts who reviewed the footage speculate that a mechanical failure may have been responsible.
The FAA confirmed that it has begun an extensive review of the company’s documents and standards, a move also supported by Senator Chuck Schumer, who called for the revocation of the company’s flight certificate. The politician harshly criticized the company, accusing it of prioritizing profit over passenger safety. The Democrat pointed out that tour operators have a “deadly track record” and emphasized that it is not the pilots but the companies themselves that frequently manipulate the rules.
As reported by USA Today, which managed to obtain the flight records, the NYHC had previously been involved in safety-related incidents in 2013 and 2015.
Meanwhile, the investigations continue. Parts recovered from the helicopter, such as the cockpit and rotor components, have been sent to NTSB labs for further analysis. However, no recorders or cameras were found that could provide useful information to more precisely determine the causes of the incident.
Over the years, several fatal helicopter accidents have occurred in New York. In 2009, a Eurocopter AS 350 from Liberty Helicopters collided in mid-air with a Piper PA-32 above the Hudson River. Nine people lost their lives in the disaster, including five Italian tourists. In 2018, another fatal accident involved a Eurocopter AS 350 Écureuil, on a tour operated by Liberty Helicopters for FlyNYON. The helicopter crashed into the East River, killing five of the six people on board. Another deadly crash occurred in 2019 when an Agusta A109E Power slammed into the roof of the Axa Equitable Center in Manhattan, resulting in the death of the pilot.
