A helicopter company in New York closed down after a deadly crash. The accident happened last Thursday near Manhattan. A sightseeing helicopter from New York Helicopter Tours fell into the cold Hudson River. Six people died in the crash. A family visiting from Spain was on board. The father, mother, and their three young children were all killed. The pilot also died. He was a Navy veteran who had just moved to New York for the New York Helicopter job. The crash shocked many people. Three days later, the company was told to stop flying.
FAA Orders the Company to Stop Flying Right Away
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made the company shut down right away. They said New York Helicopter Tours must stop all flights. The FAA posted a message online saying they were looking into the company’s safety rules. They are also helping the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) with the crash investigation. The FAA did not say if the company will be closed for good. They did not answer emails about what comes next.
Company Owner Says He Had No Choice in the Shutdown
Michael Roth is the CEO of New York Helicopter Tours. He said he didn’t want to close the company. He told reporters that it was not his choice. The FAA made the decision. When someone asked if the company could open again, Roth said, “Maybe, I don’t know.” The day before, someone from the New York Helicopter company said they were not flying “until further notice.” Things moved quickly after that. The order to shut down came just one day later.
Company Shares Sad Statement After the Tragedy
After the crash, the New York Helicopter Tours company posted a sad message on its website. They said they were deeply sorry for the loss of life. They said they care about the safety of passengers and crew. They also said they were helping federal agents with the investigation. The company’s main focus now is on the families who lost loved ones. They want to offer support and make sure everything is handled the right way. It’s a hard time for many people involved.
Helicopter Was on Eighth Flight That Day Before It Crashed
The New York Helicopter had already flown seven times that day. It was on its eighth trip when something went wrong. The NTSB said the helicopter broke apart while it was still in the air. Then it crashed into the Hudson River. It did not have a flight recorder. That’s a device that helps investigators learn what happened during a crash. The last safety check for the chopper was done on March 1.
Spanish Tourist Family Among the Victims in Crash
One of the saddest parts of the story is the family from Spain. They were on vacation in New York. The father, Augustin Escobar, his wife Merce Montal, and their three kids—Augustin (10), Mercedes (8), and Victor (4)—all died. The family had been enjoying a visit to the city. They went on a New York Helicopter ride to see the sights. Then the accident happened. Merce’s brother spoke to the media. He said, “They left together, without suffering, and with smiles on their faces.” His words were full of love and sorrow.
Pilot Was Navy Veteran Who Just Moved to the City
The pilot who died was Sean Johnson. He was 36 years old. He had served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a pilot. He recently moved to New York City for this New York Helicopter job. His death adds to the heartbreak. Many people are calling him a hero. He did his best, but the crash could not be stopped. Now, officials are trying to find out what went wrong.
