Overview

• A Bell 206 helicopter disintegrated mid-flight on April 10, crashing into the Hudson River and killing all six onboard, including a Spanish tourist family and the pilot.
• New York Helicopter Tours, the company operating the helicopter, has ceased its activities immediately following the accident.
• The FAA has initiated a formal review of the operator’s licensing and safety record in response to the crash.
• Preliminary investigations are exploring possible causes, including mechanical failure or a collision with a drone or bird, but no definitive cause has been determined yet.
• The accident, the deadliest helicopter crash in New York since 2018, has intensified calls for stricter oversight of air tourism, with a helicopter safety roundtable scheduled for April 22.