On April 10, a helicopter (more specifically, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV) plummeted into the Hudson River in New York City, killing everyone onboard the aircraft. The crashed helicopter was on its eighth tour of the day when it fell from the sky.

The victims included a Spanish family of five, as well as 36-year-old pilot Seankese Johnson. A Navy Seal and certified helicopter pilot since August 2023, Johnson was more than qualified to fly, leading many to wonder what exactly went wrong on the doomed flight, and how safe helicopter tours actually are.

The cause of the ill-fated helicopter crash remains unknown, but the deaths of Agustín Escobar, his wife and three kids resulted in the FAA suspending the company behind the crash, New York Helicopter. The FAA also noted it would conduct a review of New York Helicopter’s license and safety records.

According to USA Today, New York City sees about 30,000 helicopter tour flights over the city. The city actually capped that number of helicopter flights in 2016, causing many companies to move operations to New Jersey.

This recent tragedy only heightens travelers’ fears of helicopter tourism, especially because it’s not the first time a helicopter tour ended fatally in the Big Apple.

At least 38 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977, according to the Associated Press. Before this most recent deadly crash, the last fatal helicopter incident occurred in 2018, when a charter open-door helicopter crashed in the East River, killing five people. Relatives of one of the victims even settled a lawsuit with the helicopter company, FlyNYON, this past March. This 2018 crash also resulted in a ban on open-door flights.

In addition to safety concerns, helicopter tourism in New York City is also a point of contention for New Yorkers. Often calling these flights a nuisance, these helicopters must follow a specific route, meaning the city’s noise level is just that much louder.

Of course, helicopter tourism isn’t specific to New York City. Many other popular destinations, like Hawai’i, Las Vegas and even the Grand Canyon, offer helicopter tours. In fact, the United States operates the world’s largest fleet of commercial helicopters.

In 2019, a helicopter crashed in a remote area of Kaua’i, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot. An investigation later revealed the pilot chose to keep flying despite worsening weather, and the delayed installation of weather cameras only further cemented the helicopter’s fate.

And just one year prior, a helicopter carrying five people crashed and burst into flames in the Grand Canyon. Victims included a British tourist killed alongside his newlywed wife, and his relatives received a $100 million settlement from both the helicopter operator and the helicopter’s French manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters SAS.

So, how safe are helicopter tours in the United States? According to the United States Helicopter Safety Team, in a report released back in January 2021, helicopter tour accidents decreased on average since 2013. In 2013, the report found 146 accidents, 30 fatal. This number dropped to 122 accidents in 2018, and then again to 94 accidents in 2020.

While data shows a downward trend in accidents, it’s still important to vet the helicopter company should you choose to fly. Ensuring the company is certified is essential.

Have you taken a helicopter tour before? Where did you fly and what was the experience like? What are your thoughts on the recent tragedy in New York City? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.