Tue Apr 15 01:39:54 UTC 2025: ## FAA Grounds Helicopter Tour Company After Deadly Hudson River Crash
**New York, NY –** The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded New York Helicopter Tours following a deadly helicopter crash in the Hudson River last Thursday that killed five Spanish tourists and the pilot. The grounding comes after the company fired its director of operations minutes after he voluntarily suspended flights pending an investigation into the accident.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau stated that the agency suspects the firing was retaliatory for the safety decision. The FAA is now conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s operations to assess its compliance with regulations and safety management practices.
The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar (49), his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal (39), and their three children aged 4, 8, and 10. The pilot, 36-year-old U.S. Navy veteran Seankese Johnson, received his commercial pilot’s license in 2023. A family member of the Spanish victims was pictured at a memorial on Saturday.
The FAA’s emergency order underscores concerns over the company’s safety protocols and its response to the investigation. The agency’s review will determine whether the company adequately identifies and manages safety hazards and risks.
First Piper 