Helicopter company shuts operations after deadly New York crash
This fatal crash has reignited public scrutiny and political debate over the safety of helicopter tours in densely populated urban environments
New York Helicopter Tours has ceased operations following a tragic crash that claimed six lives in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, US media report.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the immediate shutdown of the tour company and has launched a full review of its license and safety record.
The crash involved a Bell 206L-4 helicopter that broke apart mid-air before plunging into the river near Jersey City, New Jersey.
All six people on board were killed, including a Spanish family of five—Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children—and the pilot, 36-year-old Sean Johnson, a Navy veteran.
Eyewitnesses reported the helicopter breaking up in the air before impact.
The aircraft, which was on its eighth flight of the day, lacked flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which has complicated efforts by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.
The last major inspection of the helicopter was carried out on March 1.
While several parts of the wreckage have been recovered, key components, such as the main rotor and tail boom, are still missing.
Federal authorities are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness.
The FAA plans to hold a helicopter safety summit on April 22 to address broader safety concerns surrounding aerial tourism.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for tighter regulations, noting that 20 people have died in New York sightseeing helicopter accidents over the past two decades.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, confirmed that federal authorities mandated the shutdown.
He expressed deep sorrow for the victims' families and said the company is cooperating fully with investigators.
This fatal crash has reignited public scrutiny and political debate over the safety of helicopter tours in densely populated urban environments.
More stringent oversight and regulation are now expected in the coming months as investigations continue.