Campaigners Blame NYC Helicopter Crash on Lax Regulations

The recent crash of a tourist helicopter into New York’s Hudson River, which claimed the lives of a pilot and a Spanish family of five, has sparked renewed calls to ban non-essential helicopter flights in the city. Advocacy group Stop the Chop described the incident as “entirely predictable” and urged city officials to shut down the three heliports serving sightseeing operations in Manhattan.

Andrew Rosenthal, chair of Stop the Chop, pointed to the age of the Bell 206 helicopter involved, which was 21 years old. He criticized the lack of age limits for aircraft, noting that other transport services like yellow taxis are subject to stricter renewal requirements. He likened continued tourism helicopter operations to running a deadly amusement ride without accountability.

Investigators are still determining the cause of the crash, with eyewitnesses reporting the aircraft broke apart mid-air before plunging into the river. Since 1977, at least 38 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York City, including nine in a 2009 collision and five in a 2018 East River crash involving an open-door flight.

Rosenthal said the downtown Manhattan heliport, from which the ill-fated flight departed, is responsible for over 30,000 sightseeing flights annually. He emphasized that the mayor could close the facility immediately without additional legislation.

Mayor Eric Adams responded by defending the role of helicopter tourism in the city’s appeal, while also stressing the importance of maintenance and safety, pending the outcome of the investigation.

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