The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Sunday that New York Helicopter Tours will stop operations immediately following a tragic crash on the Hudson River last week. Six people were on board the helicopter when it went down, and sadly, there were no survivors.
The FAA is now reviewing the company’s safety record and license. This review will happen alongside an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board to understand what went wrong during the flight. It’s unclear whether the company chose to close down voluntarily or if they were ordered to do so by the FAA. When asked about the situation, company owner Michael Roth did not provide any comments.
In a related statement, Senator Chuck Schumer, representing New York, urged federal authorities to suspend the company’s operating license until the investigation concludes. He also called for a broader examination of helicopter tour companies in the area, citing concerns over their safety records. “New York City’s helicopter tour companies have a deadly track record,” he stated emphatically in a news conference.
This incident highlights an ongoing issue within the helicopter tour industry, which has faced criticism over safety measures. Recent statistics show that helicopter tours have a higher accident rate compared to other forms of air tourism. In fact, a study by the NTSB indicated that helicopter tours were involved in around 10% of all helicopter accidents despite representing a smaller share of total helicopter operations.
With heightened awareness of aviation safety, incidents like this can spark public outcry and social media discussions, calling for stricter regulations and oversight. As tragic as this crash is, it serves as a reminder of the need for safety in tourism-related operations, especially in busy cities like New York.
For ongoing updates about air travel safety and helicopter regulations, you can refer to the FAA’s official announcements.
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Source linkHelicopters,Federal Aviation Administration,National Transportation Safety Board,New York Helicopter,Hudson River,New York City
