2 weeks Ago By Channing Reid
New York Helicopter Tours shut down its operations effective immediately on Sunday following the deadly crash involving one of its Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopters last week . The development comes amid the investigation into what caused the aircraft to plunge into the Hudson River out of midair. The company, which brands itself as “New York Helicopter,” explained that it is “profoundly saddened by the tragic accident.
” The crash took the lives of six individuals, including Agustin Escobar, a top executive at European technology company Siemens. Ceasing Operations The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on social media late Sunday that while New York Helicopter Tours will be shutting down, it will launch “an immediate review” of the company’s safety records. “New York Helicopter Tours — the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson earlier this week — is shutting down their operations immediately.
We will continue to support [the National Transportation Safety Board] NTSB’s investigation. Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator's license and safety record.” After a rocky road to certification, is the world's first commercial fly-by-wire helicopter ready to fly? It is not clear what led up to the crash.
However, video footage depicts what appears to be a separation of the helicopter’s rotor before the aircraft came down uncontrollably from about 960 feet above the water. According to NBC News , it only took seven seconds to plummet 824 feet. A Troubled Past As the wreckage was pulled out of the river over the weekend, investigators confirmed that the aircraft was not equipped with any flight recorders.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that New York Helicopter Tours’ records indicated that it had been struggling financially since 2019. There were also reports of two mid-flight breakdowns in 2013 and 2015. The company had no mention of its shutdown on Sunday.
However, it is working with both the FAA and NTSB, according to a statement. “New York Helicopter Tours is profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one of our helicopters in the Hudson River. At New York Helicopter Tours, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations.
Our immediate focus is supporting the families and their loved ones affected by this tragedy, as well as fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.” According to Fortune , the company is already facing a $1.
4 million lawsuit. CEO Michael Roth has reportedly garnered the reputation of being quick to sue others but slow to pay. John Kjekstad, a tour operator who has known him for four decades, told The Times that he has “had disputes with everybody.
” Roth commented on the crash on Friday, according to a statement obtained by PEOPLE . “We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated.
My wife has not stopped crying...
” He continued, “The death of the child of any human being, is a monumental disaster.” FAA Helicopter Safety Panel Thursday’s deadly plunge marked the second incident involving a helicopter crashing into a body of water this year. 67 people were killed on January 30 after an American Eagle Bombardier CRJ700, approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), collided with a US military Blackhawk helicopter above the Potomac River .
The accident subsequently resulted in the FAA issuing permanent restrictions on helicopter flights near the airport. The highly congested area has commonly been referred to as ‘Helicopter Alley.’ Later this month, the agency will host a panel to discuss the risks of aircraft and helicopters flying in close proximity as it continues to analyze “hotspots” around the country.
“The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options,” it explained. “Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.” Helicopter crashes in the US are becoming increasingly rare.
There were half as many crashes last year as there were reported at the start of the century, according to NBC News. The many features and capabilities of the Bell 407 that has made it a fan favorite in the civil aviation industry.
