On the warm afternoon of October 15, that day turned fatal when a Bell 206 helicopter lost power and plunged into the Hudson River. This gruesome crash killed a Spanish family of five. The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from the Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at 14:59 local time. During this flight shortly after its take off the aircraft crashed out of control while circling around the George Washington Bridge.
As a mainstream helicopter, the Bell 206—a two-bladed helicopter—is common in use for tourism sightseeing tours, television news reporting, and police operations. At the time of the incident, it was carrying six people. Along with the family of tourists, the helicopter had a commercially licensed pilot. The weather that day didn’t hurt either. Almost as soon as veering westwards along the New Jersey coastline, the aircraft encountered trouble.
Eyewitness testimonies described the helicopter whirling and trying to keep afloat before it sank into the East River around Manhattan’s west side. This neighborhood is home to hip boutiques and a variety of ethnic eateries. The crash is not surprising to anyone who lives in the area. To that end, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently took an important step. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed jurisdiction over the deadly crash’s investigation.
“The investigation is not over,” said an FAA spokesman, highlighting the ongoing commitment to determine the truth behind this tragic occurrence. The NTSB has started to gather data and evidence in the ongoing investigation to figure out what might have caused the helicopter to go out of control.
Michael Roth, a family friend of the late victims, voiced his grief over what he labeled as “a preventable tragedy.
“I’m a father, a grandfather, and my wife hasn’t stopped crying since this afternoon.” – Michael Roth
Roth’s moving tribute captures the sadness and heartbreak we all experienced as news of the collision began to unfold. The loss of life in such a traumatic and abrupt way has devastated families and communities.
In a strong expression of solidarity and support to the victims, former President Donald Trump extended his sympathies with a tweet saying,
“God bless the families and friends of the victims.” – Donald Trump
The Bell 206 really wins on versatility and reliability. As a consequence, it has quickly made itself an attractive option for tour companies, particularly in large cities. It’s perhaps most known for its stunning aerial vistas, attracting more than one million sightseers to soak in the best memories from above. That being said, this tragic incident is a sad reminder of the dangers that are an inherent part of aviation.
The pilot of the helicopter has not been widely identified, but authorities have said he was licensed and experienced. National Transportation Safety Board — via Public Domain Investigators will further look into maintenance history and operation procedures to confirm that all safety precautions were taken before the flight departed.
Even as families grieve for their loved ones, officials are still working to determine what happened in the flight’s last moments. Throughout its investigation, the NTSB will hold on-the-record interviews with witnesses. They will conduct extensive review of flight data to determine what went wrong.
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