Company at center of helicopter crash pauses operations
New York Helicopter Tours has ceased operations following a tragic crash into the Hudson River that resulted in the deaths of six individuals. The incident involved a former Navy SEAL pilot, Seankese Johnson, and a family, Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children. They had been in New York for a business trip that coincided with the celebration of Montal’s 40th birthday. After the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated an investigation into the company’s operations, spurred by previous incidents involving the tour company. In response to the crash, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop criticized helicopter tourism due to safety concerns in the crowded airspace, while Senator Chuck Schumer called for tighter regulations and inspections for helicopter tour companies. Following the tragedy, a memorial service was held, with city officials participating to honor the victims. The incident has reignited debates about helicopter tours and safety regulations in urban areas.
New York Helicopter Tours shuts down after Hudson River crash killed six
New York Helicopter Tours is shut down while the Federal Aviation Administration investigates the crash of one of its helicopters into the Hudson River last week.
Six people on board died as a result of the crash, including the former Navy SEAL pilot Seankese Johnson, Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. According to Democratic Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Escobar was in town for a business trip the family extended to celebrate Montal’s 40th birthday.
There were two other incidents involving New York Helicopter Tours before this incident. Before the FAA announced the company wasn’t in operation, Fulop was among the politicians who condemned helicopter tourism. The mayor responded on X to a linked article that cited neighboring Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams defending helicopter tours.
“We disagree – beyond the obvious noise and quality of life issues… 100ft to the west and this lands on densely populated land,” Fulop wrote on X. “This is exceptionally busy airspace with transport helicopters, news helicopters, and so many tour helicopters in addition to small planes – not to mention LGA, EWR, JFK traffic.”
“I’m urging the FAA to pull NY Helicopter Tours’ operating certificate, cease their flights until the investigation is complete, and increase ramp inspections on every other helicopter tour company,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a news conference before the FAA made its announcement. “So many lives depend on getting this right.”
The Eastern Region Helicopter Council, a trade group representing helicopter operators, disagreed with a move against all touring companies.
“The helicopter community is in shock and mourning after the tragic and horrific events,” chairman Jeff Smith said in a statement before New York Helicopter Tours shut down. “Unfortunately, some well-meaning but misguided leaders are using this tragedy to exploit and push their decades-old agenda to ban all helicopters. Before taking legislative action, we need to learn more from the investigation.”
SIX DEAD AFTER HELICOPTER CRASHES IN NYC’S HUDSON RIVER
Adams attended a memorial service on the Hudson River with a family member of the helicopter passengers. Together, they tossed white flowers into the river to commemorate the lives of the Escobar Montal family and Johnson.
Johnson was certified to fly commercial helicopters in 2023 and completed 788 hours in the air, per the National Transportation Safety Board. New York City Fire Department officials told the Washington Examiner a distress call from the helicopter came just before it hit the water.
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