All passengers suspected dead in NYC collision

• Source: Global Times
• [00:57 August 10 2009]
• Comments

All nine passengers aboard a helicopter and a light plane are believed dead after the aircraft collided Saturday afternoon over New York’s Hudson River, local officials said yesterday.

Of the three bodies recovered Saturday, one was recovered from the plane, a Piper Saratoga PA-32, while the other two are believed to be those of tourists who were aboard the helicopter, according to CNN.

There was almost no hope for any survivors. “This has changed from a rescue to a recovery mission,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

The Eurocopter AS350 was operated by Liberty Helicopter, the largest sightseeing helicopter operator in the US Northeast.

Debbie Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said during a riverside briefing that the helicopter’s location had been marked with buoys, and investigators were using radar to try to locate it, as underwater visibility was said to be about two feet.

The NTSB’s investigation team suspended operations at nightfall Saturday and resumed the search Sunday morning.

Another Liberty pilot, who witnessed the crash, said he saw a small single-engine aircraft approaching from behind the helicopter, and the right wing of the aircraft impacted the helicopter.
 
The NTSB said investigators expected to be able to determine the cause of the crash by interviewing air traffic controllers and reviewing air traffic control and radar data, because small aircraft are not required to carry recording equipment.

Agencies