New York Helicopter Tours is shutting down immediately following a tragic crash that killed six people, including three children, the Federal Aviation Administration announced.
The FAA made the announcement late Sunday night, saying the company would cease operations immediately, per NBC New York. The helicopter, carrying a pilot and a family from Spain, “fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan on April 11,” officials said. Victims included Agustin Escobar and his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, both Siemens executives, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11, along with the 36-year-old pilot, according to law enforcement sources.
The crash happened at 3:17 p.m. off River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after departing from the Wall St. Heliport. The chopper had reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing.
“Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade,” investigators noted. “Officials said it hit the water inverted.”
The FAA is launching “an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record” and stated, “Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.”
The agency is also “analyzing airplane and helicopter hotspots nationwide” and will host “a helicopter safety panel on April 22nd to discuss the findings, risks and additional mitigation options.”
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation into the cause of the deadly crash.
