New York City Helicopter Crashes: Timeline of Fatal and Major Incidents Since 1977:

Following the tragic 2025 crash in the Hudson River that claimed six lives, helicopter safety in New York City is once again facing serious questions. Since a major incident in 1977, which led to stricter rules on where helicopters can land, at least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents across the city.

Here’s a chronological list of significant helicopter-related incidents in New York:

Timeline of Major Helicopter Incidents in NYC

2025: Six killed when a helicopter crashes into the Hudson River off Manhattan.

2021: A hard landing at a Manhattan helipad causes significant damage; no injuries reported.

2019 (June): A helicopter hits the roof of a skyscraper in restricted airspace; pilot dies.

2019 (May): A helicopter sinks into the Hudson while maneuvering at a heliport; pilot escapes.

2018: Five people die in the East River during an “open door” photography flight; the pilot survives.

2011: Three die in the East River during a family outing flight.

2009: Nine killed after a sightseeing chopper collides mid-air with a private plane over the Hudson.

2007: A mechanical issue causes a sightseeing helicopter to drop into the Hudson; all survive.

2005 (December): MBNA executives survive a crash into the East River; pilot is seriously hurt.

2005 (June): A British tourist nearly drowns when a sightseeing chopper crashes into the East River.

2004: A WNBC-TV news helicopter hits a Brooklyn building and disintegrates; all survive.

1997: One dead and one badly injured when a Colgate-Palmolive helicopter crashes into the East River.

1990: One fatality after a misjudged takeoff leads a chopper into the East River.

1988: One person drowns after a sightseeing helicopter makes a forced East River landing.

1986: An NBC radio traffic reporter dies when a chopper crashes after losing lift.

1985: A sightseeing flight crashes into the East River; one person drowns.

1983: Four people die in a mid-air collision between a seaplane and police helicopter.

1981: A failed hijacking attempt involves a sightseeing helicopter and a federal jail rooftop.

1977: A New York Airways helicopter suffers a rotor failure on the Pan Am Building, killing five. This led to the permanent closure of the rooftop helipad.

This timeline underscores the risks involved with urban helicopter travel and the importance of continuing improvements in aviation safety and regulations in densely populated areas like New York City.