The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation following an incident where a helicopter pilot reported an engine failure, leading to an emergency landing on a pier just outside New York City.

Incident Details

The aircraft involved is a Bell 206, which operates under the sightseeing company FlyNYON. It took off from Kearny, New Jersey, and was flying over water en route to Brooklyn when the pilot encountered difficulties.

In a recorded transmission to air traffic control (ATC), the pilot declared an emergency, stating, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. We have low RPMs, we need to land outside the airport. We have an engine out… we’re going to land at Bayonne piers.”

Emergency Landing and Aftermath

The helicopter managed to land on a roadway situated beyond cargo shipping containers. Footage from WABC revealed that the helicopter’s tail was partially detached and caught on a nearby fence, indicating significant damage to the aircraft.

Fortunately, there were two personnel aboard conducting a maintenance flight, and both were reported to be unharmed based on the air traffic audio reports.

Company Response

FlyNYON has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding this incident. Their official website emphasizes that “At FlyNYON, your safety is our number one priority,” highlighting the team’s extensive experience in aviation.

Understanding Helicopter Safety

When helicopters lose engine power, pilots can often utilize a technique known as autorotation to control their descent safely. However, it’s important to note that not all incidents conclude without serious consequences; some have resulted in fatalities despite the application of this maneuver.

For instance, a tragic event last year involved a tourist helicopter from a different operator that fell into the Hudson River, resulting in the loss of five lives, including that of the pilot. Investigations later revealed that the aircraft had collided with a flock of birds.