Helo Down in New York City 11 March 2018

[Airbubba]

Crash in the East River.

A Eurocopter AS350 went down in the East River near Roosevelt Island in #NYC at 7pm today. The helicopter reportedly is inverted in the water. Local authorities will confirm the number of people on board, their names and conditions. The #FAA is investigating.

https://twitter.com/FAANews/status/972984316216205312

[bluesideoops]

Video here; seems like only pilot got out so far.....https://nypost.com/2018/03/11/tour-helicopter-crashes-into-east-river/

[ve3id]

Why the dickens would a single-engined helicopter be allowed to fly tourists around NYC?????

[Matt48]

Video here; seems like only pilot got out so far.....https://nypost.com/2018/03/11/tour-helicopter-crashes-into-east-river/
Two deceased, it appears.

[Matt48]

Why the dickens would a single-engined helicopter be allowed to fly tourists arornd NYC?????

It would appear that in Europe , single engine copters may conduct tourist flights in congested cities as long as there is a 'heli lane' such as the Seine in Paris and the Thames in London, perhaps similar is allowed in NYC as there are rivers both sides of Manhattan.


There is conjecture that a twin engine copter with 5 pax would have to 'set down' anyway immediately an engine failure occurred.

[PPRuNe Towers]

https://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/606426-helicopter-down-manhattan.html

Rob

[Pilot DAR]

Before this topic joins the Rotorheads forum, it is probably worth the more broad observation that the pilot escaped and survived, and passengers were unable to survive. This does not make our industry shine. But, I will watch with interest to learn if the pilot was wearing a lifejacket, and perhaps had egress training. At the very least, it can be assumed that the pilot was better trained and practiced to simply open the door and seatbelt than passengers.

At the least, the pilot should be commended for what appeared to be controlled contact with the water.