Helicopter Crash Prompts North Jersey Residents To Ask For Ban

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — After six people were killed in a tourist helicopter crash in the Hudson River in Jersey City on April 10, the National Transportation Safety Board said they will continue investigating the causes of the crash. Meanwhile, residents of waterfront towns including Jersey City and Hoboken — who had previously complained about noise from the 'copters — have said they're concerned the next crash could involve the many high-rises on the waterfront.

The crash killed a family of five from Spain as well as the pilot, a veteran.

The company, New York Heilcopter Charter Inc., has shut its operations. It said it will cooperate with the NTSB and FAA investigations.

Residents of Hudson County, N.J., this week passed around a petition to "stop the chop," or ban non-essential helicopters from flying low over the area, which is full of residential high-rises and parks. The "Stop the Chop" group posted separate petitions for New Jersey, New York City, and the country, located here.

Eight hundred people had signed the New Jersey petition as of Thursday, and several other petitions have been circulating online.

Stop the Chop says it's charged with "educating the public about the dangers to health, the environment and national security presented by the ceaseless non-essential helicopter sightseeing tours and commuter flights that fly over the NY Metropolitan area."

Residents are also taking the matter to local officials.

'Flew Over Hoboken Three Times'

On Wednesday night, Hoboken's City Council voted for a non-binding resolution to ask the Federal Aviation Administration to stop helicopters from flying over residential areas.

"We in Hoboken know all too well how low these helicopters fly over our homes and the concerns it has raised," said Councilman Paul Presinzano, who co-sponsored the resolution with Councilman Phil Cohen.

He added, "It was reported that the same helicopter flew over Hoboken three times on that terrible day, and now the company involved in the crash will stop its operations ... We’re calling on FAA and other relevant federal agencies to take real action to prohibit low flying helicopter traffic over Hoboken and Jersey City."

Drones, Birds, And Mechanical Failure

At a briefing on the crash last Thursday, held at City Hall in Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop said he had heard three theories about the cause of the crash, which killed the pilot, a mother and father, and their three children.

"There are three working theories," Fulop said. "There was the birds discussion, the drone discussion, and mechanical failure discussions."

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said it was too soon to speculate about the cause of the crash.

"I am not going to speculate on investigative information," she said. "We are very factual and we will provide that in due course."

She stressed that anyone who had video of photos of the crash, or information, should contact the agency.

In response to a question about reports of a "large flock of birds," she said that this or any other observation should be forwarded to the agency.

"If something struck you as different or maybe you paused or it crossed your mind that maybe it's something you would like to share with our investigators, there's no downside in sharing that information," she said.

The NTSB encouraged witnesses to email video, photos, or observations to Witness@ntsb.gov.

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