Summary

A tourist helicopter carrying a Spanish family of five and a pilot crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, killing all 6 aboard, including 3 children.

The Bell 206 helicopter plunged into the water inverted, missing its rotor blades, just over 15 minutes after departing the Wall St. Heliport.

Witnesses described loud noises and parts falling off before impact.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, and Jersey City officials renewed calls for tighter air traffic safety.

  • Melonpoly@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    They’re only dangerous if they’re poorly maintained… like any aircraft.

    • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      Or in windy weather, or with other helicopters around, or with bad thermals…

      Helicopters are 35% more dangerous than planes, but that stat includes small aircraft, which are 10x more dangerous than jets. So they are WAY more dangerous than jets. By hour they are 85x more dangerous than cars, but comparing traveling similar distances they are 4x safer than cars.

      Saying they’re only dangerous compared to any aircraft if poorly maintained is just incorrect.