FAA Grounds New York Helicopter Charter, Inc. Following Fatal Hudson River Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order grounding **New York Helicopter Charter, Inc.** after one of its helicopters crashed into the Hudson River last week, tragically claiming the lives of a family of five and the pilot. The decision comes in the wake of the company’s dismissal of its director of operations, who had voluntarily shut down flights prior to the incident.

The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, malfunctioned midair on Thursday afternoon, breaking apart before plunging into the water near the Jersey City shoreline. Among the victims were Siemens executive **Agustín Escobar**, his wife **Mercè Camprubí Montal**, and their three young children. The pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran, also perished in the crash.

The FAA stated that the grounding was prompted in part by the company’s decision to fire its director of operations after he halted flights. “Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public,” the agency emphasized.

As part of its response, the FAA is conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s operations through its Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP). This assessment evaluates compliance with safety regulations, hazard identification, and risk management. Additionally, the FAA is collaborating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its ongoing investigation into the crash.

New York Helicopter Charter, Inc. has been instructed to surrender its Air Carrier Certificate pending the outcome of the FAA’s review. The suspension will remain in effect until the company reinstates necessary personnel and implements adequate safety protocols.

In a broader safety initiative, the FAA is analyzing aviation hotspots nationwide and will host a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss findings and mitigation strategies. “Everything is on the table as we work to prevent such tragedies in the future,” an NTSB spokesperson noted.

The crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation community and raised urgent questions about safety standards in the helicopter charter industry. The FAA has vowed to take decisive action to ensure the safety of commercial air operations.

For more details, visit [FAA’s official statement](https://www.faa.gov) and [NTSB’s investigation updates](https://www.ntsb.gov).