Schumer urges FAA to halt flights by NYC tour company in fatal crash
Schumer urges FAA to halt flights by tour company in fatal crash
"The company was operating under the lowest bar of safety," Schumer said Sunday, citing that nearly 11 people have died on the company's flights.
NEW YORK - In the wake of Thursday’s deadly helicopter crash that killed six people, Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the FAA to suspend New York Helicopters Inc., from operating until the investigation is complete and is calling for immediate action from federal authorities.
"When you see that picture... it just totally breaks your heart," Schumer said, referring to the family of five’s final moments before takeoff.
SKIP TO: The latest on the investigation
What they're saying:
"The company was operating under the lowest bar of safety," Schumer said Sunday, citing that nearly 11 people have died on the company's flights.
‘The company was operating under the lowest bar of safety’
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - APRIL 10: A helicopter is seen floating after it crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan, on April 10, 2025 in New York, United States. All 6 passengers dead from helicopter crash into Hudson River near lower Manh
"They could very well be putting profit over people," Schumer said.
Other tour operators reportedly offering flight deals after deadly crash
In light of the crash, other helicopter tour companies are reportedly offering flight discounts, according to Schumer.
He specifically called out FlyNYON Helicopter Tours, saying the company is promoting 70 percent off rides similar to the one that killed six people.
Schumer called the move outrageous and disrespectful to the victims.
In addition to revoking the company's operating certificate, Schumer is pushing for the FAA to halt all flights by New York Helicopter Charter Inc. during the investigation. "I’m urging the FAA to pull their operating certificate immediately," Schumer said.
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Family speaks out after Hudson River helicopter crash: 'They left together'
Authorities are now focusing on the moments leading up to the crash, and one of the families says they are working to bring the victims' bodies home to Spain.
What are ramp checks?
Schumer is also pushing for the FAA to increase surprise inspections, or "ramp checks," on all helicopter tour companies in the metro area.
These unannounced inspections, he explained, help ensure safety regulations are being followed. "The FAA needs to increase ramp inspections at other helicopter tour companies to ensure they’re not cutting corners," Schumer said.
"These inspections are like food inspections, showing up unannounced to make sure everything is on the level."
The helicopter was 21 years old, reports show
"The helicopter that crashed was 21 years old," he pointed out, questioning the FAA's oversight on older helicopters in service.
"We can’t let this continue," he said. "It’s time for real reform in the helicopter tour industry."
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List: Deadly helicopter accidents in New York City
At least 38 people have now died in helicopter accidents in New York City since 1977, when an accident on a skyscraper landing pad led the city to start putting restrictions on where choppers could land.
Helicopter crash latest
The helicopter’s last major inspection took place on March 1, and the crash occurred during its eighth tour flight of the day.
Meanwhile, NYPD divers are continuing the search for several key components of the wreckage. Crews are using side-scanning sonar to locate the helicopter’s main rotor, main gear box, tail rotor, and a large portion of the tail boom.
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How helicopter crashed in the Hudson: Blades may have come off
A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon, killing all six on board.
What have they found?
So far, investigators have recovered several parts of the helicopter, including the main fuselage, which contains the cockpit and cabin, the forward portion of the tail boom, and the horizontal stabilizer finlets and vertical fin.
Some of these components will be sent to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) laboratories in Washington for closer inspection.
No flight records onboard, reports show
Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, US, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all on board, according to New York Ci
The helicopter was not equipped with flight data recorders, and no onboard video or camera devices were found.
Investigators also discovered that the aircraft’s avionics did not record any useful information for the ongoing investigation.
NTSB investigators have already reviewed the operator’s records, safety protocols, and the pilot’s experience. They also examined two similar helicopters for comparison.
Apparently, the helicopter’s last major inspection took place on March 1, and the crash occurred during its eighth tour flight of the day.
Helicopter crash photos
Who were the victims?
The victims of the helicopter crash have been identified as Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company; their three children: Victor, Augustine, and 8-year-old Mercedes Escobar Camprubí, who would have turned 9 the day after the crash; and the pilot, 36-year-old Seanqese Johnson.
Mercedes would have turned 9 that Friday.
Seanqese Johnson, 36, was the pilot killed in the crash on Thursday.
Johnson was a Navy SEAL who often shared career highlights as a helicopter pilot on social media. In March, he updated his Facebook profile photo to a screengrab showing him at the controls of a helicopter, with Freedom Tower and the Manhattan skyline in the background.