Are Helicopter Tours Safe? Deadly New York Crash Spotlights Troubling History 

A deadly crash is raising questions about the safety and regulations of tourist helicopter rides.

Six people, including a pilot and a family of five were killed on Thursday, April 10, when a New York Helicopter Tours flight crashed into the Hudson River.

The tragedy occurred shortly after the chopper took off from lower Manhattan around 3:15 p.m. local time. The cause remains under investigation, though witnesses said they saw the helicopter flying erratically before “falling apart” in midair.

This is not the first fatal helicopter tour in New York City in recent memory. In 2018, a “no-door” flight intended for amateur photographers operated by FlyNYON and Liberty Helicopters crashed into the East River. Those on board were trapped by their safety harnesses as the aircraft sank.

In 2009, a N.Y.C. sightseeing helicopter carrying a group of Italian tourists collided with a private plane over the Hudson in an accident that killed 9.

Thursday’s crash has sparked renewed discussion of the safety of such flights. Several lawmakers have even called for a ban on helicopter tours in New York.

State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, referred to the crash as “a foreseeable tragedy” and promised to push for a total ban on “non-essential” helicopter flights around Manhattan, according to Gothamist. And City Councilmember Chris Marte argued, “helicopters should be reserved for emergency response, essential news coverage and public safety operations — not sightseeing or luxury travel.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams told FOX5 on Friday, April 10, that he did not support banning helicopter tours in the city.

The United States has the highest number of commercial helicopters in the world, USA Today reports, with most concentrated in tourist areas known for stunning aerial vistas like Manhattan, the Grand Canyon and along the coastlines of Hawaii.

In New York City, specifically, the number of helicopter tours that depart in and around the city is in the tens of thousands annually, according to the New York Times.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is also leading the investigation into the recent crash, oversees helicopter tour operations across the country and has reportedly repeatedly called for enhanced safety measures for all flights, per USA Today.

An NTSB report that also included police, fire and other public use helicopters stated their safety is often “overlooked” and suggested improvements to risk management and pilot training, as well as onboard technology and weather instruments. They also advocated for helicopters to have a crash-proof black box, similar to commercial jets, so they can learn from accidents.

Regulations on flights not traveling far distances, which would include many tour operators, also have looser regulations than those offering longer journeys between destinations, USA Today reports.

Travel + Leisure points out that helicopter tour safety has been improving by the numbers in recent years.

According to the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, in 2013, there were 146 helicopter accidents causing 61 fatalities. By 2020, that number was down to 94, causing 35 deaths.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data indicates that overall flying in a helicopter is more dangerous than in a plane. This is likely due to helicopters’ ability to fly and land in a wider variety of locations as well as the much more stringent safety protocols in place for commercial airlines, including having multiple pilots on board in case of emergency.