A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six individuals on board, the most recent in a string of incidents in latest months that has rattled confidence in US aviation security.
“Right now, all six victims have been faraway from the water. And sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased,” New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams stated at a press convention.
The passengers, together with three youngsters, had been from Spain, metropolis officers stated. The crash additionally killed the pilot.
One eyewitness informed the Related Press that he noticed the helicopter falling aside in midair, whereas one other stated the plane was spinning uncontrollably because it fell.
The helicopter’s flight path, which originated at a heliport close to Wall Avenue, reveals previous to crashing the group flew south to the Statue of Liberty after which north to the George Washington Bridge earlier than turning round.
“We’re devastated,” stated Michael Roth, chief government officer of New York Helicopter, which operated the flight. “We’re tragically sorry for what occurred, and we’re working with the investigators.”
The Federal Aviation Administration stated it couldn’t verify the variety of individuals on board, however stated it is going to examine what occurred to the Bell 206 helicopter alongside the Nationwide Transportation Security Board. The NTSB stated in an announcement it was gathering data.
Earlier Thursday, a passenger jet carrying at the least six members of Congress was clipped by one other business aircraft on the bottom at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport close to Washington, DC. The incidents are shaking confidence within the security of the US aviation system following a lethal midair collision between a US army helicopter and regional passenger jet close to Reagan airport in January.
There have been a number of helicopter crashes round New York Metropolis. A helicopter slammed into the East River throughout a sightseeing excursion in 2018, killing 5 individuals and elevating consciousness of a security situation with seat restraints.
“It’s clearly a tragic state of affairs,” stated Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steven Fulop, who added that the trigger is at present unknown. “However it is going to result in a much bigger dialog round are we doing all that’s essential from a security standpoint contemplating how densely populated this space is.”
Prime Photograph: Particles floats within the water on the scene the place the helicopter crashed within the Hudson River in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, on April 10.
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