The company involved in the deadly Hudson River crash that claimed six lives on Thursday will be ceasing operations immediately, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“New York Helicopter Tours — the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson earlier this week — is shutting down their operations immediately. We will continue to support @NTSB ’s investigation. Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record,” the FAA wrote on X last night.
“Lastly on the topic of helicopter safety broadly: The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options. Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.”
Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, ages 4, 5 and 11, died in the crash, along with Sean Johnson – the 36-year-old pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident and their chair, Jennifer Homendy, indicated that it will be a while before they have a preliminary cause for the crash at a press conference on Friday.
For the moment, she stressed that obtaining pictures and videos from the incident is a high priority, which can be sent to witness@ntsb.gov.
New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth received a ton of backlash for a New York Port interview last week where he is quoted as saying “This is horrific. But you gotta remember something, these are machines and they break.”
“‘Machines break’ is a hell of a comment considering these people were on his machine. Tourist helicopters are the most accident-prone vehicles in commercial aviation, in part because safety isn’t emphasized and safety management systems just aren’t good enough,” exclaimed Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon.
On Saturday, the company directed press inquiries to the FAA and the NTSB in an Instagram post.
“New York Helicopter Tours is profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one of our helicopters in the Hudson River. At New York Helicopter Tours, the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations,” they wrote.
“Our immediate focus is supporting the families and their loved ones affected by this tragedy, as well as fully cooperating with the FAA and the NTSB investigations. These agencies have asked us to respect the investigative process by referring all press inquiries to them for further comment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
