FAA reports sightseeing helicopter company involved in fatal crash is halting operations immediately following the incident that resulted in six deaths.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Sunday that it would be shutting down operations for New York Helicopter Tours following a tragic accident on Thursday that resulted in the loss of a pilot and five tourists from Spain. The decision to suspend the company’s operations comes amidst a deeper investigation into the accident, which saw a sightseeing helicopter break apart mid-flight and plunge into the Hudson River.

In a statement shared via the social media platform X, the FAA indicated that an immediate review of New York Helicopter Tours’ operational licenses and safety records would commence. This action follows a public appeal from Senator Chuck Schumer, who called for federal authorities to revoke the company’s operating permits. Schumer emphasized the necessity for the company to halt all flights while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducts a thorough investigation into the incident.

The victims comprised Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot, Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran, had recently obtained his commercial pilot’s license in 2023. Schumer remarked on the need for comprehensive safety measures to ensure such tragedies do not reoccur, citing a historical pattern of fatal incidents involving New York City’s helicopter tour operators.

The Thursday crash has reignited long-standing safety concerns regarding helicopter tours that offer breathtaking aerial views of iconic New York landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade Center. Over the past two decades, a concerning trend has emerged, as five helicopters conducting commercial sightseeing flights have crashed into the Hudson and East rivers due to mechanical failures and pilot errors, resulting in a total of 20 fatalities.

In the wake of Senator Schumer’s push for increased scrutiny of helicopter tour companies, the Eastern Region Helicopter Council defended the industry by stating that operations in Manhattan are subject to stringent regulations. The organization expressed willingness to collaborate with regulatory bodies to enhance safety measures.

As criticism of the industry grows, calls for limiting or banning nonessential helicopter flights over New York City have been amplified. Despite previous attempts to regulate the number of annual flights to 30,000 from Manhattan heliports, many companies have relocated their operations to New Jersey.

The cause of the recent tragic accident remains undetermined as rescue divers continue to search for crucial components of the helicopter, such as the main rotor and assembly gear box, which may provide insights into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The tragic loss of life has underscored the urgent need for improved safety policies within the tourism sector as stakeholders grapple with the implications of this horrifying event.

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