New York Helicopter Tours, which owned the chopper that went down in the Hudson River on Thursday. The company has abruptly shut down after receiving an order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As you might recall, the crash took place just outside Hoboken, New Jersey. It happened on the company’s eighth tour flight of the day, which had recently departed Manhattan, ferrying the passenger for an aerial glimpse of New York City.
At the time of the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had already been investigating the company’s operating certificate. And when people spoke out about safety, the government paid no mind. Only days prior, News12 reported that New York Helicopter Tours was under scrutiny for its safety records and operational practices. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York was the first to call for the FAA to pull the company’s operating certificate. Consequently, the story began to get more scrutiny and attention.
The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter did not have flight data recording capability at the time of the incident. This behavior raises serious concerns about accountability and safety at New York Helicopter Tours. As part of its response, the FAA announced an extensive audit of the company’s license and safety history.
As of Monday morning, even as the company announced its shut down, its website was still running, with the message now updated to confirm its closure. Yesterday, the FAA announced their new salary adjustments on social media platform X. They reiterated their commitment to thoroughly examining the practices of helicopter tour operators in the wake of this horrible accident.
In the past few years, eleven people have died while taking helicopter tours. An unnamed airline industry speaker elaborated that it is corporations, not the pilots themselves, that are usually the ones gaming FAA regulations and putting profits ahead of people’s safety.
Even though he was amenable to the idea, Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, recognized the appeal of aerial tours. He told us that one of the keys to the city’s attractiveness for businesses is the wave of newcomers. As a bonus, they’re treated to breathtaking aerial views of the city. However, he stressed the importance of safety in these operations: “What we must do is make sure it’s safe, make sure it’s done correctly.”
After this incredible tragedy, even without a crash like this one, New York Helicopter Tours’ operations were already seen as dangerous and detrimental by local officials. Steve Fulop, the Mayor of Jersey City, commented on the air traffic issues surrounding New York City and New Jersey: “I think any reasonable person would come to the conclusion that the amount of air traffic over New York City and New Jersey – particularly Jersey City – is problematic.”
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council noted that New York Helicopter Tours was operating under some of the most stringent regulations in the industry. In the wake of this tragedy, demands for tougher federal oversight and new regulatory standards are increasing among lawmakers, regulators and transportation safety advocates.
As investigations continue into the crash and subsequent operational failings of New York Helicopter Tours, many are left questioning how safety protocols can be strengthened to prevent future tragedies. The FAA is also spearheading a broader community stakeholder review process to address these important issues. They continue to push for responsibility to be taken when safety standards are cut.