New York Helicopter Tours, the operator of the helicopter that tragically crashed into the Hudson River last week, resulting in six fatalities, has ceased all operations effective immediately. This announcement was made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Sunday.
The FAA stated it will fully cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) ongoing investigation and is initiating a thorough review of New York Helicopter Tours’ operating license and safety history.
As part of its commitment to aviation safety, the FAA shared: “Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.” They are already examining potential helicopter accident hotspots across the nation and will convene a dedicated helicopter safety panel on April 22nd to discuss findings, identify risks, and explore further preventative measures.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter experienced a catastrophic failure mid-flight before plunging into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey. Among the deceased were a Spanish family of five—Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children—along with the pilot, a veteran Navy SEAL. Despite rescue attempts by divers, all individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
The NTSB confirmed that the helicopter lacked any flight recording devices, meaning no onboard systems captured data that could aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Investigators are currently scrutinizing the helicopter’s flight control system. Recovered wreckage includes portions of the fuselage, cockpit, cabin, tail boom sections, and stabilizing fins. These pieces will be transported to the NTSB laboratories in Washington for detailed analysis.
Search efforts continue, with NYPD divers seeking critical components such as the main rotor, gearbox, tail rotor, and a significant portion of the tail boom.
The helicopter’s most recent comprehensive inspection took place on March 1st. Prior to Thursday’s accident, the aircraft had completed seven tour flights that day, making it the eighth flight of the sequence.
Key Players Assisting in the Investigation:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Bell Helicopter
- Rolls-Royce
The NTSB is treating all aspects of this incident as potential factors, stating “Everything is on the table” during their investigation.
