NEW YORK (AP) - A helicopter tour over Manhattan's skyline is a sought-after experience for affluent tourists, offering breathtaking views of landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center. For several hundred dollars, tourists can enjoy these flights, which are often filled with excitement and wonder. However, a tragic incident on Thursday, which resulted in the deaths of a family of five visiting from Spain and their pilot—a Navy SEAL veteran—has raised renewed concerns regarding the safety of these popular sightseeing flights.
Since 2005, there have been five significant incidents where helicopters on commercial sightseeing flights crashed into the Hudson and East rivers due to mechanical failures, pilot errors, or collisions, claiming the lives of 20 individuals. With this latest crash, critics have once again called for bans or restrictions on what they categorize as "nonessential" helicopter flights, which include around 30,000 sightseeing rides conducted in New York City each year.
In response to the crash, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his opposition to additional restrictions on helicopter flights. He emphasized the importance of these flights for diverse purposes, including the transportation of Wall Street executives and police operations. Mayor Adams pointed out that while tens of thousands of tourists embark on these flights annually without issue, it is crucial that they be conducted safely. “People want to see the city from the sky,” Adams stated, emphasizing that safety measures must be upheld.
Despite the mayor's assurance regarding the safety of these flights, skepticism remains among some experts. Al Yurman, a former investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, voiced personal apprehension regarding helicopter tours, indicating that the industry might not prioritize safety adequately. The crash that occurred in 2009, when a sightseeing flight collided with a private plane over the Hudson River, which killed nine people, resulted in new safety regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This disaster resulted from missed radio communications and pilot errors. Consequently, New York City halved the number of helicopter flights permitted at the downtown heliport.
Another tragic incident occurred in 2018, when five people perished in an East River crash after a passenger's restraint tether snagged on a fuel switch, causing the helicopter engine to stop. This led to increased scrutiny of the helicopter tour industry, with the company involved, FlyNYON, recently settling a lawsuit related to the crash for $90 million. Since then, FlyNYON has implemented numerous safety measures, including updating its passenger restraint systems and enhancing pilot training.
As the investigation into Thursday's crash continues, video evidence showed the helicopter, a Bell 206, disintegrating mid-air before plummeting into the water, raising further questions about safety protocols. In 2022, nationwide helicopter accidents were reported at a historic low of 88, the fewest recorded in 25 years. The Eastern Region Helicopter Council, which represents various helicopter operators, noted that sightseeing tours contribute to a small percentage of total accidents. Justin Green, an aviation lawyer and former Marine helicopter pilot, contended that there is nothing inherently hazardous about New York's helicopter tour industry. However, he did advocate for mandatory modern safety equipment, such as terrain awareness technology.
Furthermore, aviation expert Steve Cowell encouraged the FAA to intensify scrutiny on smaller operators facing financial difficulties. He highlighted the risk tourists face when they fail to investigate a company’s safety records or financial health before flying, placing their trust in the pilots and maintenance teams. New York Helicopter, the operator involved in the recent crash, had recently faced bankruptcy and ongoing legal issues. They did not respond to inquiries but released a statement expressing their sorrow over the incident and affirming their commitment to safety.
