New York Helicopter Tours has shut down following a crash in the Hudson River last week that killed six people, including a visiting family of five from Spain.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced the company’s closure Sunday and initiated an immediate review of its license and safety history. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash, with a full report expected in the coming months. Preliminary findings may be released soon.
The crash occurred Thursday afternoon when a Bell 206L-4 helicopter, registered as N216MH, went down near Midtown Manhattan. Pilot Sean Johnson, 36, a Navy veteran, had reported a fuel emergency just before the crash. The aircraft, leased from Meridian Helicopters in Louisiana, plunged into the river, killing Johnson and five members of the Escobar family: Agustin Escobar, 49; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39; and their children — Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The family had arrived in New York a few days earlier and was on a sightseeing tour.
The NTSB said the helicopter had completed seven tour flights that day. The crash occurred during its eighth flight, after the helicopter’s last major inspection on March 1.
Investigators found that the helicopter did not have flight data or cockpit voice recorders, and they did not recover any onboard cameras. They noted that the lack of recording devices may limit the available evidence as they continue their work.
The FAA has emphasized its ongoing commitment to passenger safety and announced plans to host a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options. Additionally, the FAA is reviewing flight hotspots across the U.S. to ensure better safety protocols.
Parties involved in the Hudson helicopter crash investigation include the Federal Aviation Administration, Bell Helicopter, and Rolls Royce. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the causes of the crash and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
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