Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing at Port Jersey

BAYONNE, New Jersey — A sightseeing helicopter operated by FlyNYON made a hard emergency landing on Tuesday morning at the Port Jersey Port Authority Marine Terminal. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m., following engine failure, as reported through air traffic control communications.

Mayday Call and Landing

According to transcripted communications, the pilot issued a mayday call, stating, “our engine is out.” An air traffic controller responded promptly, inquiring whether the pilot could identify a landing area. The pilot confirmed intentions to land at the Bayonne piers.

Details of the Incident

The helicopter, a Bell 206L model from 1999, safely landed with two crew members on board, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. Witnesses at the scene noted that the helicopter had significant damage, including a separated tail section and rotor system impairments. Sources indicate the helicopter was executing a routine maintenance flight when the emergency arose.

Community Response

Local resident Jorge Mercado, who was fishing nearby, expressed admiration for the pilot’s skill in managing the emergency landing. “To land it, it has to take some skills for people to survive,” Mercado remarked, reflecting on the gravity of the situation.

Investigation Underway

Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) involved. The emergency landing has attracted attention, especially considering FlyNYON’s history; the operator was previously linked to a 2018 crash in the East River, which tragically resulted in the loss of five passengers despite the pilot’s escape.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the outcome of the recent incident, Mercado expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities. “I’m happy somebody survived instead of everybody perishing but God is good and God saved those people, I guess,” he concluded.

FlyNYON, based in Kearny, New Jersey, was contacted for comments regarding the emergency landing. As of now, no statement has been released about the event.