(Reuters) – A tourist helicopter crashed in New York’s Hudson River off lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board. It was the latest in a series of accidents involving choppers operating around the city in recent years.
Here are details about earlier incidents:
– On June 10, 2019, a helicopter pilot was killed when his helicopter slammed into the roof of a midtown skyscraper in heavy fog. The pilot was not authorized to fly in limited visibility conditions.
– On May 15, 2019, a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River shortly after takeoff, injuring the pilot and a dockworker.
– On March 11, 2018, five passengers aboard a helicopter died when it crashed into the East River. The pilot survived. The chopper was a charter flight that featured an open door to allow passengers to take photos of the city’s skyline.
The pilot was able to free himself and was rescued, but the passengers were wearing tight harnesses that they were unable to remove. The incident led federal authorities to prohibit “doors off” flights unless passengers had quick-release restraints.
– On August 8, 2009, nine people died when a helicopter and a small plane collided in mid-air and both aircraft fell into the Hudson. Five Italian tourists in the helicopter were among the victims.
– On April 15, 1997, Colgate-Palmolive executive Craig Tate died when the helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed into the East River off Manhattan, according to media reports at the time. A total of four people were aboard the chopper, including one who was badly hurt.
– On May 16, 1977, five people were killed when a blade broke off a helicopter on a helipad at the top of a Manhattan skyscraper. Most of the victims died when they were struck by the blade, including a woman who was walking on the street below.
The accident at the former Pan Am Building led authorities to ban helipads from Manhattan rooftops.
(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Chris Reese)
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