Helicopter company in fatal crash had history of mechanical failures
New York Helicopter Charter, the company which operated the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday killing six people, was also involved in dangerous incidents in 2013 and 2015 according to reports.
Newsweek contacted New York Helicopter Charter and Meridian Helicopters, which leased the aircraft involved in Thursday's crash, for comment on Friday via online inquiry form and telephone respectively outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
The past few months have seen a number of high-profile aircraft crashes in the United States, raising concerns about the safety of aviation more generally.
An American Airlines regional jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter above the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., in January, leaving 67 people dead. The following month 10 people were killed when a Bering Air flight crashed in the Bering Sea off Alaska.
What To Know
On Thursday a helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Charter crashed into the Hudson River after taking off from the Wall Street Skyport and flying north over Manhattan. According to authorities there were six people on board, a Spanish family of five, including three children, and the pilot, all of whom were killed.
The New York Times reports that in 2013 a red Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Charter, which had a family of four from Sweden onboard, descended into the water after taking off from a heliport close to Wall Street. The pilot was able to inflate pontoons so the helicopter remained upright on the water and there were no serious injuries, though the passengers were all taken to hospital.
In 2015 another red Bell 206 helicopter being operated by New York Helicopter Charter began spinning uncontrollably, resulting in the pilot taking it down in a "hard landing." According to the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigated the incident, the helicopter had an "unairworthy" drive shaft and had previously been involved in a hard landing in Chile in 2010.
This helicopter was owned by Meridian Helicopters, a Louisiana-based company that owned the helicopter involved in Thursday's crash.
Speaking to The New York Times from New Jersey Michael Roth, chief executive of New York Helicopter Charter said he had "no information whatsoever" about what had gone wrong adding that he was "devastated" about Thursday's crash.
What People Are Saying
New York Mayor Eric Adams said on X: "We can sadly confirm there were six deaths in the Hudson River helicopter crash—three adults and three children. The crash is under investigation, and our teams will assist with all efforts to understand what happened.
"The New York City Fire Department Marine Division and New York Police Department Harbor Unit responded to the scene on the New Jersey side of the Hudson shortly after 911 calls started. Divers from both teams immediately jumped into action, as did medical personnel onsite."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!"
What Happens Next
An official investigation will take place to determine the cause of Thursday's crash. Trump indicated that more information about what went wrong will be released to the public "shortly."