It seemed everyone would confirm the worst fears of the potential dangers of this mode of transport when helicopters on tours seeking regular flights around Manhattan’s tip plunged into the Hudson River and killed five families visiting from Spain. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly grounded the tour company, followed by a call for a complete ban on chopper tours at the Big Apple.
The cause of the helicopter crash in New York is still unknown, but the tragic accident has sparked enduring debate over the safety of these operations. This burns whenever there is a famous crash, like in 2020 he killed basketball legend Cobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in Southern California.
Should you think twice before booking a ride seeking that flight on top of a helicopter trip to a scenic waterfall or an airport?
Overall, helicopter transport says it has a better safety record than that of small civilian planes. Despite the negative advertising these accidents elicited, demand continues to be strong. Private choppers are a staple food for tourists in many destinations around the world.
“When one of these events happens, it’s safe enough, as it’s a major story,” says John Goglia, an aviation consultant and a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about whether crashes are preventable, he added.
One recent helicopter accident revealed a hurdle that safety regulators often face. Subsequent investigations revealed that the copter has no audio or data recorder in the crash of a chartered helicopter on his way to Las Vegas, which killed all six people, including a prominent Nigerian official and his family. In both of these cases, the pilots decided to take off in less than ideal weather conditions, and there was speculation that the crew was under pressure to complete the trip on time if there was no harsh evidence.
Efforts to improve helicopter safety
Goglia said travelers should not be afraid to fly by helicopter, but they tried to add that they could do more to make this sector of the aviation industry safer.
The NTSB in recent years has called for federal government surveillance in the helicopter tour industry following the extent of an accident calling for flights involving a chopper that crashed in New York City in March 2018. The company that ran the flight was later cited in an unsafe condition. This includes a disability passenger restriction system that prevented the flyer from escaping when Kraft plunged into the East River.
In 2019, a helicopter crashed onto the summit while flying through Hawaii’s Kauai Island, and seven people boarded the boat. In the case of Hawaii’s crash, the itinerary is designed to showcase the dramatic Napali coast. Tourist flights in places like Hawaii are popular as they offer a way to experience sights that are otherwise unaccessible. However, rough terrain and changing weather conditions pose challenges.
In fact, Hawaii’s parliamentary delegation has successfully pushed the language of air tour safety to be added to the massive FAA sanctions bill enacted in the law in 2024. They also requested upgrades to safety equipment and data monitoring.
In a statement, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) noted that Hawaii has the highest deaths in the nation, with 85 reported deaths since the NTSB began maintaining records.
Other observers say they will improve pilot training rather than new regulations that are necessarily required.
“What we’re looking at today is a lot of pilot issues and perhaps they’re not keeping a close eye on their operations,” Goglier said.
The chances of a helicopter collision remain low
Statistics show that percentages are very low incidence of crashes. A recent report by the US Helicopter Safety Team shows that the fatal accident rate (the number of accidents that caused one or more deaths) for all US helicopters over the past five years was 0.73 per 100,000 flight hours.
In contrast, the fatal accident rate for general aviation (industrial term for non-commercial or small-scale civilian aircraft) was the recent 2020 accident at 1.049 per 100,000 flight hours when NTSB data was available.
Safety experts say it is also important to distinguish between private helicopters, such as private helicopters, such as VIPs charter and reach their destination quickly.
Not everything is convinced
Rare travelers cannot expect to have detailed knowledge of helicopter safety standards. This is a factor in the recent drive for stronger surveillance of aerial group tours.
Some operators have taken initiatives to reassure the flyers. Several helicopter services in the New York City area specialize in airport connections and short hops on weekend hops, specializing in weekend haunts like Hampton, advertise that they meet the highest safety standards and exceed the minimum requirements.
Still, some local politicians aren’t fans. New York City has been debating for years whether to curb these businesses. In 2019, a helicopter crashed into the roof of a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan. There were no passengers, but the pilot died. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio then called for a ban on helicopters flying down city streets entirely. However, airport choppers generally take off from the river helipads away from the tall buildings of the city.
More recently, however, Big Apple’s current mayor, Eric Adams, has shown his support for a new variation on traditional choppers, battery-powered aviation taxis. These EVTOLs reduce noise and burn less fuel than traditional choppers due to electric vertical takeoff and landing craft. However, since they have not yet participated in the service, it may take some time before the safety benefits come to fruition.
Signs of safety
Those who are nervous about helicopter safety can look for specific indicators when investigating a particular helicopter operator. Helicopter companies need to be very transparent about safety standards. For example, Hawaii-based Blue Hawaii helicopters have the forefront and center of their homepage “safety statements” that advertise that the company has exceeded FAA regulations on safety. It’s the kind of statement you want to look for (using the documentation to back it up).
There are also certain questions that you should ask the operator, such as a helicopter in flight where helicopters are used. What is the aircraft safety record? Amount of pilot experience (pilots need at least several years of training and flight experience). The certification and certification held by the company. And when there was the last safety audit.
This story was originally published in January 2020 and updated on April 21, 2025, and contains current information.
