Helicopter Crash Sparks Probe, Shutdown of Tour Company Operations

New York Helicopter Tours has suspended all operations following a tragic crash in the Hudson River that claimed six lives, as federal investigators begin a critical examination of the company’s safety record and operational procedures.

Key Insights

New York Helicopter Tours has shut down its operations following a deadly helicopter crash in New York City.
The helicopter crash on April 10 killed a family of five from Spain and the pilot, Sean Johnson, a US Navy veteran.
The FAA is reviewing the tour operator’s license and supporting the NTSB’s investigation into potential causes, including mechanical failure.
The helicopter’s last major inspection was on March 1, and it had completed seven tour flights before the crash.
Since 1977, at least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for increased safety inspections and a pause in flights.

Tour Company Ceases Operations Amid Investigations

New York Helicopter Tours has halted all operations following the fatal crash of one of its Bell 206 helicopters into the Hudson River on April 10. The incident, which occurred near Jersey City, claimed the lives of a Spanish family of five and the pilot, Sean Johnson, a US Navy veteran from the Chicago area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the company’s decision to shut down as investigations continue into what caused the aircraft to plunge into the river during what should have been a routine sightseeing tour of Manhattan.

The FAA has initiated a comprehensive review of the tour operator’s license and safety records while supporting the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) broader investigation. Recovery operations remain ongoing, with dive teams still searching for missing helicopter components that could provide crucial evidence. Investigators face additional challenges as the helicopter was not equipped with flight recorders, and no onboard video has been recovered from the wreckage.

After deadly helicopter crash in New York, tour company shuts down operations, FAA says https://t.co/se3df05XZH

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 14, 2025

Political Response and Safety Concerns

Following the incident, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the FAA to revoke the company’s operating certificate until the investigation concludes. At a Manhattan press conference, Schumer criticized helicopter tour operators for allegedly prioritizing profits over passenger safety. This latest crash has intensified the long-running debate about the safety of sightseeing helicopter flights over one of America’s most densely populated urban areas.

City Councilwoman Gale Brewer has gone further, advocating for a complete ban on non-essential helicopter flights over New York City. This position stands in contrast to Mayor Eric Adams, who maintains that helicopter tours are safe and “part of the New York experience.” The Eastern Region Helicopter Council has defended the industry, saying Manhattan’s sightseeing helicopters operate under stringent regulations. Despite these assurances, the crash marks the fifth sightseeing helicopter to plunge into the Hudson or East rivers in the past two decades.

Investigation Details and Victim Remembrance

The NTSB is meticulously reconstructing the helicopter to determine what caused the fatal crash. Investigators are evaluating the aircraft’s flight control systems and examining multiple potential causes, including mechanical failures and possible bird strikes. According to preliminary findings, the helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and crashed after returning south along the river at approximately 3:17 p.m. The aircraft had undergone its last major inspection on March 1 and had completed seven tours before the accident.

Joan Camprubí, brother of Mercè Camprubí Montal, speaking about the Spanish family lost in the crash, offered a poignant reflection: “They left together, they left without suffering, and they left with a smile on their faces.” Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences on behalf of New York City, stating, “Our words cannot bring back their family members, but it is our way of saying as New Yorkers we stand united with this family during this moment of grief. Their grief is our grief. Their sorrow, is our sorrow.”