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NY Helicopter Tour Company Shuts Down Following Fatal Hudson Crash, FAA Confirms

A helicopter tour company in New York has shut down immediately after one of its aircraft crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six people on board, including three children. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the closure and is now launching a full review of the company’s license and safety history.

The crash occurred on Thursday, with the victims identified as Spanish tourist Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí, their three children, and the pilot, Seankese Johnson—a former Navy SEAL. The family was visiting to celebrate Camprubí’s 40th birthday.

The company, New York Helicopter Tours, had previous safety violations in 2013 and 2015, including engine failure and maintenance concerns. Officials are questioning whether safety was compromised for profit.

Senator Chuck Schumer has called for a broader investigation into NYC’s helicopter tour industry and urged for more frequent FAA inspections. Local lawmakers are also pushing for a temporary halt on non-essential helicopter tours from city-owned heliports.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, but no flight data was recorded as the helicopter lacked black boxes. Divers continue searching for key wreckage components to determine the cause of the tragic accident.

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