FAA issues emergency order grounding helicopter company after fatal Hudson River crash
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding New York Helicopter Charter, Inc. -- the company that operated the Bell 206 helicopter that plummeted into the Hudson River in New York City last week, killing six people, including three children.
The order came after the company voluntarily shut down its operations on Sunday, the FAA said.
"The FAA is taking this action in part because after the company’s director of operations voluntarily shut down flights, he was fired," according to a statement from the FAA that accompanied the emergency order on Monday.
"The agency also began a comprehensive review of the company’s operations," it continued. "The review, known as a Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP), determines whether an operator complies with applicable regulation and effectively manages safety, and identifies hazards and risks so the FAA and operator can mitigate them."
The FAA had previously said that it will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator's license and its safety record.
In the wake of the deadly incident, the agency said it is analyzing airplane and helicopter hot spots nationwide and will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks and additional mitigation options.
"Safety is the FAA's number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public," the agency said in a statement on Sunday.
New York Helicopter can appeal the FAA’s emergency order within 10 days of its issuance by filing a notice of appeal with the National Transportation Safety Board's Office of Administrative Law Judges, according to the FAA's emergency order of suspension.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.
Its chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, and a family visiting from Spain, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan on April 11.
Agustin Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, both executives from the European automation company Siemens, and their children -- ages 4, 8 and 10 years old -- were killed in the crash along with the pilot, age 36, law enforcement sources told ABC News at the time.
The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said during a briefing.
"Our hearts go out to the family and those on board," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said after the incident.
Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. Officials said it hit the water inverted.
The NTSB is investigating the incident.
ABC News' Ayesha Ali contributed to this report.
