Helicopter in deadly NYC crash once starred in company’s safety inspection video
The tragic crash of a New York City tour helicopter into the Hudson River on Thursday has left six people dead, including a Spanish family of five and the aircraft’s Navy SEAL veteran pilot. The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter came apart midair, with both the main and tail rotors detaching from the body of the aircraft and plunging separately into the water near Jersey City, New Jersey. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The ill-fated helicopter, registered as N216MH, was operated by New York Helicopters, a company that prided itself on its purported safety record. A now-eerie video on the company’s website showcases the helicopter being checked before takeoff, highlighting the firm’s experience, affordability, and safety standards. The video shows a worker inspecting the main rotor blade, engine, and drive shaft before starting the engine and taking off.
The Bell 206 helicopter, manufactured in 2004, had undergone repairs in September due to a mechanical issue with its transmission assembly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued safety alerts for all Bell 206L model helicopters in April 2023, warning of potential tail rotor drive system failures caused by faulty bonded joints in the segmented drive shaft.
In the aftermath of the crash, New York Helicopter Tours CEO Michael Roth expressed shock at the incident, speculating that a bird strike or main rotor blade failure may have been the cause. The company released a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and emphasizing its commitment to passenger and crew safety.
This is not the first time that a helicopter operated by Roth’s company has faced mechanical problems. In 2015, another Bell 206 helicopter made a hard landing due to a tail rotor driveshaft failure, and two years prior, a Bell 206 lost power and made an emergency landing on the water. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of tour helicopter flights in the area.
Following the crash, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis has called for stricter regulations or a halt to these tourist flights, citing a previous fatal incident in 2018 involving a tour helicopter operated by a different company. The tragic loss of life in these accidents underscores the need for enhanced safety measures in the helicopter tour industry.
As investigations into the Hudson River helicopter crash continue, the families of the victims and the aviation community mourn the loss of those aboard the ill-fated flight. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the importance of prioritizing safety above all else.
