Renewed Calls For NYC Tourist Chopper Ban After Hudson River Crash

NEW YORK CITY — The fatal Hudson River helicopter crash on Thursday has renewed debated and calls to ban sightseeing helicopter tours in New York City.

In an interview with ABC7 New York, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal(D-Manhattan) said he wants to limit air traffic over the city to only first responders and press — calling tourist helicopters dangerous.

"There’s no reason to allow tourists and tour flight operators to use our valuable precious airspace,” he said.

“The danger is that FAA regulates airspace above 500 feet, so the city and state are prohibited from passing laws that make tourist choppers safer."

Hoylman-Sigal has also said that the Federal Aviation Administration needs to change routes over Manhattan.

City Councilmember Chris Marte, had similar sentiments in an interview with Gothamist.

“Helicopters should be reserved for emergency response, essential news coverage and public safety operations — not sightseeing or luxury travel,” he said. “While now is a moment for grief, it is also a moment for serious reflection and urgent policy change."

On the other hand, Mayor Eric Adams said he did not support a ban in an interview with FOX5 NY on Friday morning.

“We must make sure it’s safe, it’s done correctly, and all proper maintenance is in place,” he said. “We should let the investigation go its course.”

The mayor added that the flights are part of the attraction of New York City, and many business leaders use choppers.

Deadly Crash Thursday

A family of tourists from Spain and a pilot were among six killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River Thursday afternoon.

Agustin Escobar, a CEO at technology company Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, their children, ages 4, 5 and 11, as well as a 36-year-old pilot died in the crash, according to an ABC News report.

The pilot has been identified as Sean Johnson, according to reports.

The helicopter went down in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street in Manhattan near Pier 40 around 3:17 p.m., the NYPD said.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, two others were transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead, officials said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the chopper has been identified as a Bell 206 helicopter. It had taken off from the Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, Patch previously reported.

The helicopter departed the skyport at 2:59 p.m. and lost control after it turned at the George Washington Bridge, making its way along the New Jersey shoreline, officials said.

"We are praying for the families and show our gratitude to the rescuers," Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference Thursday evening.

A number of videos on social media captured the moments following the crash.

Witnesses near the scene described seeing the helicopter "fall from the sky" and they heard a loud boom before it crashed into the water.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.