New York helicopter tour company shuts down after deadly crash

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered New York Helicopter Tours to shut down following a crash that killed six people. Investigators said the aircraft lost its main rotor before plunging into the Hudson River near New Jersey.
• Federal officials launched a safety review, while lawmakers call for stricter oversight of tour operators.
• Authorities continue to search for key components and review the company’s history of safety violations and prior incidents.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced late Sunday, April 13, that New York Helicopter Tours would cease operations immediately following a fatal crash Thursday, April 10, that killed six people. The FAA also launched a review of the company’s safety record and operating license.

The shutdown occurred following increasing scrutiny from federal officials, including requests from U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to suspend the company’s flights.

The helicopter, carrying a family visiting from Spain and a Navy veteran pilot, crashed into the Hudson River on April 10. Based on initial findings, investigators said the aircraft lost its main rotor in mid-air before crashing upside down near the New Jersey shoreline.

The FAA collaborates with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has also launched an investigation into the incident.

Who were the Hudson River crash victims?

The crash killed all six people on board, including Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, 49; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39; and their three children: Victor, 4; Mercedes, 8; and Agustín, 10. The family traveled to New York to celebrate Montal’s 40th birthday, according to Jersey City officials.

The pilot, 36-year-old Seankese Johnson, was a U.S. Navy veteran who obtained his commercial helicopter certification in August 2023. According to FAA records, Johnson logged 788 flight hours. City officials said he was certified and in good standing at the time of the crash.

What have authorities learned about the crash and the aircraft?

The NTSB said the helicopter lacked flight data and video recording devices onboard. It had last undergone a major inspection on March 1 and had completed seven sightseeing flights on the day of the crash. Divers continue to search the river for the main rotor and gearbox — key components for understanding the cause of the failure.

The company’s website displayed a message expressing sorrow for the incident but deferred all press inquiries to federal investigators. New York Helicopter Tours President Michael Roth has not commented publicly since the FAA’s announcement but told CNN earlier that the crash left him “devastated.”

What is the company’s safety history?

New York Helicopter Tours had previously been involved in two federally documented safety incidents.

In 2013, a pilot was forced to make an emergency water landing near Manhattan after a loud bang triggered an engine warning. All passengers were safely evacuated.

In 2015, another pilot was forced to land in New Jersey after hovering at a low altitude. At the time, an FAA inspection found signs of corrosion and potentially deformed components considered unairworthy.

The same helicopter involved in the 2015 incident was also in a crash in Chile in 2010. Roth said the company’s director of maintenance managed the upkeep but declined to comment. Maintenance records are under NTSB control and are not publicly accessible during the ongoing investigation.

What have officials and industry leaders said?

Schumer, who spoke before the FAA’s shutdown order, urged federal regulators to suspend the company’s license and increase surprise inspections — known as ramp checks — of all helicopter tour operators in New York. He cited what he called a “deadly track record” of tour companies placing profit over safety.

New York City Rep. Amanda Farías called for a moratorium on non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned heliports during the investigation. Meanwhile, the Eastern Region Helicopter Council, representing industry operators, warned against sweeping restrictions, saying such actions risk exploiting the tragedy without fully understanding the cause.

How does this incident fit into broader aviation safety concerns?

Between 1977 and 2019, helicopter accidents in New York City resulted in at least 32 fatalities, according to the Associated Press. A 2018 crash that killed five passengers led to tighter FAA regulations, particularly on “doors-off” aerial tours. The recent crash has renewed debate over the safety and necessity of non-essential helicopter flights in densely populated urban areas.

The FAA said it is analyzing helicopter safety concerns nationwide and will host a safety panel on April 22 to review risks and propose new recommendations. The NTSB continues to collect data and urged the public to submit any photos or videos that might assist the investigation.