New York Helicopter Tours, the company that owned the helicopter that plummeted into the Hudson River near the New Jersey shoreline last Thursday, killing all six people on board, is shutting down its operations immediatel
The FAA made the announcement on Sunday, saying it will continue to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation into the crash, while also launching an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record.
“The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options,” the FAA added. “Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.”
The ill-fated New York City tour helicopter – a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV – came apart midair on Thursday afternoon before falling into the water upside down near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey, killing a Spanish family of five and the aircraft’s Navy SEAL veteran pilot.
File photo of the victims of the helicopter crash in New York City, Thursday, April 10, 2025. The family of five killed in the tragedy included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubà Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and three children. The pilot was also killed. (New York Helicopter Tours, LLC)
The helicopter involved in the crash had its last major inspection on March 1, according to the NTSB.
Before the crash, the helicopter had completed seven tour flights, according to officials. The wreck happened during the eighth flight of the day.
Assisting with the NTSB’s investigation are the FAA, Bell Helicopter and Rolls-Royce.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
