New York City: What Caused the Deadly East River Helicopter Crash?
Five passengers were killed after a helicopter chartered for a private photoshoot crashed into New York City’s East River on Sunday, only the pilot survived, authorities have confirmed.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration on Twitter, the Eurocopter AS350, an aircraft owned by Liberty Helicopters, crashed just after 7 p.m. In a recording to LaGuardia Airport, the pilot could be heard shouting: “Mayday, mayday, mayday. East River, engine failure.”
Two people were pronounced dead on the scene, while three others died in hospital.
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Authorities said that safety harnesses, designed to protect passengers, meant they were unable to free themselves and escape the aircraft.
"One of the most difficult parts of the rescue were that five people were tightly harnessed. People had to be cut out," Daniel Nigro, FDNY Commissioner, said in a news conference last night.
Soon after the crash, the pilot managed to escape and swim to safety and could be seen in media footage clutching a flotation device as rescue boats approached.
"The pilot is OK, he was taken to the hospital to be checked out," Nigro said. "[He] was taken by one of our fire boats ashore."
He added: "The pilot freed himself. The other five did not. The police, fire divers entered the water and removed the other five."
Police said the helicopter was capsized when the rescue team arrived and a barge with a crane had to be called to lift the aircraft out of the water.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on Twitter that an investigations team will be arriving in the morning to determine the cause of the crash.
NTSB investigating crash today of helicopter into New York City's East River. Team arriving in a.m. For details on media briefings and other news, check @NTSB_Newsroom
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) March 12, 2018
Bystander John J. Magers told CNN that he knew something was going to happen after he saw the aircraft fly so low so he took out his phone and filmed it.
"I saw it coming down toward the water. Thought it was unusual, but didn't expect it to crash. My thoughts are with those killed," Magers said.
Watch the helicopter crash below:
@cnn @FoxNews just witnessed a helicopter crash into the East River .. hope everyone’s ok. Caught it all on tape! pic.twitter.com/saHOMTLR69
— JJ Magers (@JJmagers) March 11, 2018