Data from the Federal Aviation Administration indicates that over 2015 and 2016, helicopter accidents fell in numbers. In 2016, there were 106 accidents, and in 2015, there were 121 accidents. Unfortunately, the percentage of fatal accidents rose. In 2015, there were 17 fatal accidents. In 2016, there were also 17 fatal accidents. In 2017, there were 121 helicopter crashes, 20 of them being fatal. These 20 fatal accidents resulted in 34 deaths. After a helicopter crash a few weeks ago into the Hudson River, and a more recent crash into the roof of a Manhattan building, some people are calling for tougher restrictions, as Time reports.
On Monday afternoon, police and firefighters rushed to a high-rise building in New York City after a helicopter crashed into the roof.
At about 1:45 p.m. on Monday, FDNY received a call about the crash at the top of a 54-story building at 787 Seventh Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
The one fatality was believed to have been the pilot of the privately-owned helicopter. According to the FAA, the pilot was the only person on board the helicopter when it crashed. The FAA also stated that they were not controlling the flight.
The helicopter had taken off from a helipad at 34th Street in Manhattan and appeared to be headed towards the pilot’s home in Linden, New Jersey. It crashed 11 minutes after taking off from the heliport.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that it’s not clear what caused the crash. Flight regulations prevent aircraft from flying in the area. Since President Donald Trump took office in 2017, a ban on flying below 3,000 feet has been effect within one mile of Trump Tower.
Trump Tower is just a few blocks away from where the crash occurred.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said that the crash calls into question whether there should be tighter restrictions on the use of helicopters in the city.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form