U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) is one of three members of Congress seeking to ban non-essential helicopters in the wake of a fatal Hudson River crash that claimed six lives last month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“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,” Menendez said in a statement.
“Rising congestion of non-essential helicopters, coupled with concerning safety records of air tourism operators, are causing a direct threat to public safety. Along with my colleagues from New Jersey and New York, we’re doing what is necessary to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
The two-term congressman is making good on his word to “safeguard” communities impacted by non-essential helicopter travel in the wake of the tragedy, as HCV first reported.
That came just two days before the Federal Aviation Administration announced that New York Helicopter Tours, who had a facility in Kearny, would be ceasing operations immediately.
Joining Menendez in sponsoring the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which would ban all non-essential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty, are U.S. Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-12) and Nicole Malliotakis (D-11), both of New York.
“The tragic helicopter crash last month on the Hudson River was not an isolated incident; it was the latest in a long line of preventable tragedies in the New York metropolitan region’s increasingly crowded and poorly regulated airspace,” added Nadler.
“For far too long, non-essential helicopter flights have endangered public safety and shattered the peace of our neighborhoods. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Improving Helicopter Safety Act with my colleagues Rob Menendez and Nicole Malliotakis to finally put an end to these dangerous flights in our region. We owe it to the victims, and to every resident living beneath these flight paths, to put safety first and prevent future disasters.”
The crash on April 10 is part of a well-documented and escalating pattern of helicopter-related incidents in the New York Metropolitan Area, the bill sponsors highlighted.
Since 1983, there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in the region, resulting in at least 31 fatalities.
In addition to furthering ongoing frustration over air traffic congestion in the region, this year’s crash also shed new light on serious concerns about regulatory oversight and operational standards for non-essential helicopter operations.
Expectedly, Stop the Chop NY/NJ praised the sponsors and the substance of the federal legislation.
“We have sounded the alarm each time one of these nonessential helicopters has crashed while traversing our densely populated urban areas, but the FAA has still not addressed the community’s concerns, harms, and pleas for relief,” they said.
“The multiple recent fatal crashes involving helicopters, coupled with the alarming shortage of air traffic controllers, demonstrate the need for immediate reform of the current Wild West-like conditions over NYC and surrounding communities.”
On Wednesday morning, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy put out a statement in support of Menendez’s legislation.
” … [Menendez] has been a true partner in this fight, and I fully support his efforts in Washington to pass legislation that would ban unnecessary helicopter flights within 20 miles of the Statue of Liberty. We need this bill to be the law of the land – especially after the tragic loss of six lives in last month’s helicopter crash,” he stated.
“Congressman Menendez’s bill will address the increasing congestion of non-essential helicopters in our airspace – a persistent threat to the safety of residents in the City of Hoboken, Jersey City and practically the entire county. My administration has sought to ensure the safety of our residents, and I urge the House and Senate to join Congressman Menendez in taking action on this vital matter.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Hudson County Executive Craig Guy.
