New York Helicopter Excursions, the corporate concerned within the lethal crash on the Hudson River final week, is shutting down its operations instantly, the Federal Aviation Administration introduced on Sunday evening.
The FAA mentioned will probably be launching “a right away overview of the tour operator’s license and security file because it proceed to help the Nationwide Transportation Security Board’s investigation into Thursday evening’s crash that killed a household of 5 from Spain and the chopper’s pilot.
“Lastly, on the subject of helicopter security broadly: The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we might be internet hosting a helicopter security panel on April 22 to debate the findings, dangers, and extra mitigation choices,” the FAA added in its assertion on X. “Security is the FAA’s primary precedence, and we is not going to hesitate to behave to guard the flying public.”
The announcement comes following an earlier request Sunday by Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer that New York Helicopter Excursions pause all flights whereas the NTSB investigates the deadly crash.
Michael Roth, proprietor and CEO of New York Helicopter Constitution, declined to remark past an announcement offered earlier than the FAA’s announcement: “Presently, our sole focus is on helping the NTSB in its investigation and grieving the tragic lack of life that occurred on Thursday.”
CBS Information has additionally reached out to his lawyer for remark.
Schumer accuses helicopter tour corporations of “chopping corners”
Schumer, New York’s senior U.S. senator, additionally referred to as on the FAA to ramp up security inspections for different helicopter tour corporations, accusing them of “chopping corners and placing earnings over folks.”
The victims of Thursday’s crash included passengers Agustin Escobar, 49, his spouse, Mercè Camprubà Montal, 39, and their three kids, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot was Sean Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who obtained his business pilot’s license in 2023.
“One of many issues we are able to do to honor these lives and attempt to save others is to verify it would not occur once more,” Schumer mentioned. “We all know there’s one factor for certain about New York Metropolis’s helicopter tour corporations: they’ve a lethal observe file.”
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The crash has renewed security considerations about New York’s sightseeing excursions, a preferred vacationer draw that whisks passengers excessive above the town, providing hovering views of the Statue of Liberty, the World Commerce Heart and different landmarks.
Hours after the crash, Mayor Eric Adams informed CBS Information New York, “helicopters are protected and it is a part of the New York expertise.”
Renewed helicopter security considerations in NYC
Within the final twenty years, 5 helicopters on business sightseeing flights have fallen into the Hudson and East rivers because of mechanical failures, pilot errors or collisions, killing 20 folks.
Metropolis Councilwoman Gale Brewer mentioned she has been sounding the alarm for many years.
“I might like to see a legislation in Congress signed by the president that claims helicopters, non-essential, can’t fly over New York Metropolis or every other metropolis,” Brewer mentioned.
As household and pals proceed to grieve, they’re in search of accountability.
“One thing completely has to vary, as a result of not solely was Sean’s life misplaced, however, you understand, two dad and mom and three kids, you understand,” mentioned Remi Adeleke, a pal of the pilot Johnson.
In response to Schumer’s requires extra oversight, an trade group, Jap Area Helicopter Council, mentioned Manhattan’s sightseeing choppers “already function beneath essentially the most stringent of laws,” because it generates $78 million yearly to New York Metropolis.
“We stand able to work with leaders on discovering methods to make sure the security and preservation of our companies and aviation group,” the group mentioned.
Yuki Iwamura / AP 
Critics of the trade have lengthy sought to restrict or completely ban nonessential helicopter flights from taking off above the town, although they’ve had restricted success. After New York Metropolis capped the variety of flights that might take off from Manhattan heliports at 30,000 yearly in 2016, many corporations moved operations to New Jersey.
Two years later, in 2018, 5 folks died when a helicopter providing “open door” flights crashed within the East River after a passenger’s restraint tether snagged on a gas swap, stopping the engine.
The reason for Thursday’s crash has not but been decided. Based on Schumer, dive groups on Sunday continued to scour chilly waters for a rotor and a gearbox, lacking helicopter components that might maintain clues.
contributed to this report.
