Menendez Law Would Ban Tourist Helicopters Near 1 NJ Landmark

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — After six people died in a tourist helicopter crash in the Hudson River in Jersey City on April 10, three Congress members have introduced legislation to ban non-essential 'copters within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty.

Residents of Hoboken, Jersey City, and nearby areas have long complained about noise from tourist helicopters, but also have expressed concerns recently that the low-flying aircraft could smash into the growing residential towers on both sides of the Hudson River.

“While we have consistently worked to address the impact of non-essential helicopters on our communities, last month’s tragic crash should be a clarion call for every level of government to take action on helicopter safety,” said Rep. Rob Menendez on Monday. “Rising congestion of non-essential helicopters, coupled with concerning safety records of air tourism operators, are causing a direct threat to public safety."

Menendez was joined by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in sponsoring the bill.

“The tragic crash that claimed six lives in the Hudson River isn’t an isolated event, it’s the clearest sign yet of an industry that has operated without meaningful oversight for far too long and continues to pose an unacceptable public safety threat,” said Malliotakis.

“Stop the Chop NY/NJ commends Representatives Jerry Nadler, Rob Menendez, and Nicole Malliotakis for today’s introduction of the ‘Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2025’ — common sense federal legislation that will, when passed, finally put an end to the dangerous helicopter conditions in the New York metropolitan area," said the group.

The National Transportation Safety Board said they will continue investigating the causes of the crash, which killed a family of five visiting from Spain as well as the pilot, a veteran.

The helicopter 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., have started 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.

More than 800 people had signed the New Jersey petition as of Monday, and several other petitions have been circulating online.

'Flew Over Hoboken Three Times'

Recently, 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."

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a briefing at Jersey City's City Hall three weeks ago that it was too soon to speculate about the cause of the crash, and that her agency will continue investigating. The chopper lost its rotor and fell into the area of the Hudson River near the Newport section of Jersey City. READ MORE: Helicopter Crash Prompts North Jersey Residents To Ask For Ban