The helicopter tour operator involved in a deadly crash in New York has ceased operations, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 13. The agency also announced an immediate review of the company’s license and safety record.
New York Helicopter Tours, operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., was responsible for the April 10 crash that killed six people, including a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot. The Bell 206 helicopter plunged into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, shortly after takeoff from a Manhattan heliport.
The crash occurred around 3:15 p.m., just minutes into a sightseeing tour. Authorities said the helicopter was flying along the Hudson River, had reached the George Washington Bridge, and was heading south when it flipped and crashed into the water upside down. Video footage showed the rotor detaching moments after impact.
Victims included Seankese Johnson, 36, the pilot, and Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, along with his wife and three children, ages 4, 8, and 10. The family had extended their stay in New York to celebrate a birthday.
Divers from the New York Police Department continued recovery efforts on April 13, searching for missing helicopter parts such as the main rotor, gearbox, tail rotor, and tail boom. Recovered parts, including the cockpit, cabin, and stabilizers, were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) labs in Washington, D.C., for further analysis.
The NTSB reported that no video or flight data recorders have been recovered from the aircraft. The helicopter’s electronic systems also did not contain usable flight information, complicating the investigation. However, investigators have begun inspecting the flight control system at a secure location and are reviewing operational and maintenance records from the company.
The aircraft, owned by Louisiana-based Meridian Helicopters LLC, underwent its last major inspection on March 1 and completed seven tour flights before the crash. The NTSB is also evaluating two similar helicopters as part of its investigation.
The incident has reignited debate over helicopter tour safety in New York City. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the FAA to revoke the operator’s certificate and strengthen oversight of the aerial tourism industry. He criticized companies for “manipulating FAA rules” and prioritizing profits over safety.
“There is one thing for sure about New York City’s helicopter tour companies—they have a deadly track record,” Schumer said during a press briefing. “It is usually the companies, not the pilots, cutting corners.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
