New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Democrat representing Manhattan, is calling for a ban on sightseeing helicopter tours in New York City following a tragic crash in the Hudson River that narrowly avoided a disaster in a densely-populated area. In the last 40 years, a total of 25 people have died in sightseeing helicopter tours in the Big Apple, adding to the urgency of limiting helicopter traffic over the city, according to Hoylman-Sigal. He has expressed concerns about the lack of safety regulations governing daily helicopter tours, particularly since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only regulates airspace above 500 feet, preventing state and local authorities from implementing more stringent safety measures.
The fatal crash in the Hudson River involved a Spanish family-of-five and an unidentified pilot, who tragically died when the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter they were on plunged into the river on Thursday. The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar, his wife, and their three children. Harrowing video footage captured the helicopter’s fuselage falling upside down into the river near Pier 40, leading to a large splash and a “boom sound” upon impact as the propellers spun separately out of control. This incident highlights the potential dangers and catastrophic consequences of helicopter crashes in densely populated areas like Manhattan, prompting concerns about the need for stricter regulations on sightseeing helicopter tours, as Hoylman-Sigal has emphasized.
Hoylman-Sigal has called for restricting access to the city’s airspace to only first responders and press, advocating for the elimination of sightseeing helicopter tours in NYC as a way to enhance public safety and prevent future tragedies. The state legislator has lamented the limitations imposed by the FAA on local authorities to enact laws that could improve safety standards for tourist helicopters. Last year, he signed legislation to relocate the existing helipad on West 30th Street out of Hudson River Park, in an effort to address safety concerns and mitigate the risks associated with helicopter tours over New York City.
The recent crash in the Hudson River is part of a series of chopper tragedies in New York City in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations and oversight of sightseeing helicopter tours. In 2018, a tourist helicopter crashed into the East River, resulting in the drowning of all five passengers onboard, with only the pilot surviving the accident. This incident echoed a similar disaster in 2011, when a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the East River, claiming the lives of three tourists. Additionally, in 2009, a collision between a sightseeing helicopter and a small plane over the Hudson River resulted in the deaths of nine people in a fiery wreck, further emphasizing the risks associated with helicopter tours in congested urban areas like New York City.
Hoylman-Sigal’s advocacy for a ban on sightseeing helicopter tours in NYC has been driven by his concerns for public safety and the potential for catastrophic accidents in densely populated areas like Manhattan. The tragic crash in the Hudson River has renewed the debate over the need for stricter regulations governing helicopter tours and the limitations imposed by the FAA on state and local authorities. By pushing for legislative action to restrict helicopter traffic over the city and eliminate tourist flights, Hoylman-Sigal aims to prevent future tragedies and protect residents and visitors from the risks posed by sightseeing helicopter tours in New York City.
The call for a ban on sightseeing helicopter tours in New York City reflects a growing recognition of the dangers and risks associated with such flights, particularly in congested urban areas like Manhattan. The tragic crash in the Hudson River has galvanized support for stricter safety regulations and oversight of helicopter tours, with elected officials like Sen. Hoylman-Sigal leading the charge for legislative action. By highlighting the history of fatal helicopter accidents in NYC and advocating for measures to limit helicopter traffic and improve safety standards, he aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure the protection of the public from the potential hazards of sightseeing helicopter tours in the city.
