NEW YORK – Within the wake of Thursday’s lethal helicopter crash that killed six folks, Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the FAA to droop New York Helicopters Inc., from working till the investigation is full and is asking for rapid motion from federal authorities.
“If you see that image… it simply completely breaks your coronary heart,” Schumer stated, referring to the household of 5’s closing moments earlier than takeoff.
SKIP TO: The newest on the investigation
What they’re saying:
“The corporate was working below the bottom bar of security,” Schumer stated Sunday, citing that almost 11 folks have died on the corporate’s flights.
‘The corporate was working below the bottom bar of security’
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – APRIL 10: A helicopter is seen floating after it crashed into the Hudson River close to decrease Manhattan, on April 10, 2025 in New York, United States. All 6 passengers lifeless from helicopter crash into Hudson River close to decrease Manh
“They might very properly be placing revenue over folks,” Schumer stated.
Different tour operators reportedly providing flight offers after lethal crash
In mild of the crash, different helicopter tour corporations are reportedly providing flight reductions, based on Schumer.
He particularly known as out FlyNYON Helicopter Excursions, saying the corporate is selling 70 p.c off rides much like the one which killed six folks.
Schumer known as the transfer outrageous and disrespectful to the victims.
Along with revoking the corporate’s working certificates, Schumer is pushing for the FAA to halt all flights by New York Helicopter Constitution Inc. through the investigation. “I’m urging the FAA to tug their working certificates instantly,” Schumer stated.
What are ramp checks?
Schumer can be pushing for the FAA to extend shock inspections, or “ramp checks,” on all helicopter tour corporations within the metro space.
These unannounced inspections, he defined, assist guarantee security rules are being adopted. “The FAA wants to extend ramp inspections at different helicopter tour corporations to make sure they’re not chopping corners,” Schumer stated.
“These inspections are like meals inspections, exhibiting up unannounced to ensure all the things is on the extent.”
The helicopter was 21 years outdated, experiences present
“The helicopter that crashed was 21 years outdated,” he identified, questioning the FAA’s oversight on older helicopters in service.
“We will’t let this proceed,” he stated. “It’s time for actual reform within the helicopter tour trade.”
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Record: Lethal helicopter accidents in New York Metropolis
At the least 38 folks have now died in helicopter accidents in New York Metropolis since 1977, when an accident on a skyscraper touchdown pad led town to begin placing restrictions on the place choppers might land.
The helicopter’s final main inspection occurred on March 1, and the crash occurred throughout its eighth tour flight of the day.
In the meantime, NYPD divers are persevering with the seek for a number of key elements of the wreckage. Crews are utilizing side-scanning sonar to find the helicopter’s predominant rotor, predominant gear field, tail rotor, and a big portion of the tail increase.
What have they discovered?
Up to now, investigators have recovered a number of elements of the helicopter, together with the principle fuselage, which comprises the cockpit and cabin, the ahead portion of the tail increase, and the horizontal stabilizer finlets and vertical fin.
A few of these elements might be despatched to the Nationwide Transportation Security Board’s (NTSB) laboratories in Washington for nearer inspection.
No flight information onboard, experiences present
Particles floats within the water on the scene the place a helicopter crashed within the Hudson River in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, US, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all on board, based on New York Ci
The helicopter was not outfitted with flight knowledge recorders, and no onboard video or digital camera gadgets have been discovered.
Investigators additionally found that the plane’s avionics didn’t report any helpful data for the continuing investigation.
NTSB investigators have already reviewed the operator’s information, security protocols, and the pilot’s expertise. In addition they examined two related helicopters for comparability.
Apparently, the helicopter’s final main inspection occurred on March 1, and the crash occurred throughout its eighth tour flight of the day.
Helicopter crash photographs
Who have been the victims?
The victims of the helicopter crash have been recognized as Agustin Escobar, a Siemens government from Spain; his spouse, Mercè Camprubí Montal, a worldwide supervisor at an vitality expertise firm; their three kids: Victor, Augustine, and 8-year-old Mercedes Escobar Camprubí, who would have turned 9 the day after the crash; and the pilot, 36-year-old Seanqese Johnson.
Mercedes would have turned 9 that Friday.
Seanqese Johnson, 36, was the pilot killed within the crash on Thursday.
Johnson was a Navy SEAL who usually shared profession highlights as a helicopter pilot on social media. In March, he up to date his Fb profile photograph to a screengrab exhibiting him on the controls of a helicopter, with Freedom Tower and the Manhattan skyline within the background.
