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Apr 13th, 2025, 11:22 PM ET·World

Federal Authorities Ground New York Helicopter Charter Following Fatal Crash

The FAA has grounded New York Helicopter Tours as investigations reveal safety concerns and retaliatory firing of operations director during crash probe.


Last Update: 10:50 PM ET

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Federal aviation regulators have grounded New York Helicopter Tours after its director of operations was fired shortly after initiating a temporary flight suspension. The FAA suspects retaliation, raising serious safety concerns. The crash on Thursday claimed six lives, including five Spanish tourists and pilot Seankese Johnson. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB found that key helicopter components were recovered from the Hudson River, which will aid in determining the cause of the accident. The crash has sparked intense discussions on aviation safety and regulations surrounding helicopter tours.

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The company involved in the deadly helicopter crash in New York last week is shutting down immediately, FAA says
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"…A 2018 crash that killed five people in a "doors-off" aerial tour after the passengers drowned, unable to free themselves from their safety harnesses after the helicopter plunged into the water, prompted tighter regulations on such flights from the FAA."

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