Helicopter tours of NYC have a controversial and deadly history

The horrifying collision of a sightseeing helicopter with New York City’s Hudson River has once again put the spotlight on helicopter tourism. The New York Helicopter flight resulted in a tragic accident when the helicopter sank and killed all six passengers onboard. Among the fatalities was tech executive Agustin Escobar alongside his wife and three children. The pilot was also among the casualties. This Spanish family was lured by what they were told was going to be an unforgettable sightseeing venture over New York that promised an “industry-leading safety record.” The catastrophic impact of this trip has sparked global conversations and a renewed call to action concerning the safety and the apparent need for helicopter tours.

Helicopter tours in New York City have become increasingly common, with nearly 30,000 tours conducted each year. Although the majority of these tours are conducted without incident, the few fatal crashes have raised concerns for residents and government officials. The noise and helicopter pollution combined with the already high levels of noise pollution in the city is a major source of frustration for New Yorkers.

Michael Roth, the New York Helicopter Tours CEO, extended his condolences and shared his surprise at the crash. As he spoke to the press, he brought up the possibility of a bird strike or some mechanical malfunction, although its cause is still being investigated. The footage of the helicopter losing control and diving into the Hudson River has gained a lot of attention, further escalating public concern and interest.

Unfortunately, these incidents are anything but unusual. There have been at least 32 fatalities due to helicopter crashes in the city from 1977 through 2019. This incident adds to that, bringing the number to 38. One of the most well-known incidents happened in 2018, when a Liberty Helicopter’s operated helicopter plunged into the East River, resulting in the death of five passengers. The passengers were on an open-door tour, so they were wearing harnesses that subsequently drowned them when the helicopter rolled over. That incident resulted in a ban on open-door sightseeing flights on the Federal Aviation Administration. Richard Vance, the pilot, was the only survivor.

Liberty Helicopters has been linked to a number of serious incidents. In 2009, one of their helicopters crashed into a private plane flying over the Hudson River, killing all nine people on both aircraft. Most recently, in 2019 a helicopter crash on top of a Manhattan skyscraper resulted in the death of the pilot. Despite this record, Liberty Helicopter continues to operate.

In addition to the crashes, the helicopters are also considered a nuisance by a great portion of the city’s residents. Because touring flights are confined to the lower levels of airspace due to commercial air traffic, their sound resonates through residential areas, parks, and even historical landmarks. Although the flights are restricted to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and can only run Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM, they still interfere with daily life. Unlike these scheduled flights, Concorde and private jets are not bound by as many rules, adding to the traffic congestion.

Designated routes were put in place in 2009 following the deadly midair collision in order to contain helicopter traffic south of Manhattan, around Liberty Island, and along the Hudson River. Helicopter flights that start in Manhattan are banned from flying over land, but those coming from outside the bordering boroughs have no restrictions.

Following Thursday’s crash, there has been a louder push to increase restrictions, or even eliminate sightseeing flights altogether. Advocacy groups like Stop the Chop have fought to eliminate nonessential flights over the city for years. Because of their campaigns, incremental changes have been made, including a ban on short flights in 2010, and Sunday flights in 2016.

Legislators proposed the Safe and Quiet Skies Act in 2023 to place stricter altitude and noise restrictions on sightseeing flights, but the proposal was not approved. Now, following this latest disaster, supporters are renewing their push for the proposal. Representative Jerry Nadler, one of the supporters, argued that the crash was both predictable and preventable. He also highlighted longstanding worries about the uncontrolled level of air traffic in one of the busiest regions of the country.

While the debate concerning helicopter tourism in New York City remains volatile, the investigation into the latest crash is still ongoing. For policymakers, angry residents, and families left in grief, there is a sincere wish to avert in the future yet another example of deliberate neglect suffering.