The Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday announced the helicopter company whose sightseeing chopper crashed into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and a family of five tourists from Spain, is shutting down its operations immediately.
Agustin Escobar, 49, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10, along with pilot Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran, all lost their lives when the helicopter broke apart in midair Thursday.
In the post on X, the FAA also said said it would launch an immediate review of New York Helicopter Tours’ operating license and safety record.
The company, owned by businessman Michael Roth, had no equipped flight recorders, federal officials said.
NYPD divers are still looking for the chopper’s main rotor, main gearbox, tail rotor and a large portion of its tail boom.
In June 2013, a craft owned by New York Helicopter experienced engine failure with four passengers aboard, which ended in an emergency evacuation, according to National Transportation Safety Board records.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) praised the move by the FAA.
“It is good news that FAA heeded the call and shutdown New York Helicopter’s flights because they were a danger to the public. But much work remains to be done,” Schumer said.
Earlier Sunday, Schumer held a news conference at the Wall St. heliport where he called on the FAA to ground New York Helicopter flights.
With Wire Services
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