On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Hudson River sightseeing helicopter crash, family members of the victims and several members of Congress held a press conference at Hudson River Park on the 9th, jointly calling for the swift passage of the Helicopter Safety Parity Act to address long-standing regulatory loopholes and bring sightseeing helicopters under the same strict safety standards as commercial aviation.
At the press conference, nearly ten members of the Escobar Camprubí family from Spain, accompanied by their legal team, joined Congressmen Dan Goldman, Jerrold Nadler, Adriano Espaillat, and several elected officials from Manhattan to demand immediate action from Congress.
The bill, introduced by Nadler, Goldman, Nicole Malliotakis, and Rob Menendez across party lines, aims to end the regulatory exemptions that sightseeing helicopter operators have enjoyed for a long time. It requires all passenger helicopter operators to adhere to the same safety standards as commercial airlines, including stricter equipment, maintenance, and pilot management systems.
The accident occurred on April 10, 2025, when a Bell 206L-4 sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River just 16 minutes after takeoff, resulting in the tragic deaths of the five members of the Camprubí family, including two adults and three young children. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the accident.
Nadler emphasized at the press conference that the accident was a poignant reminder of the aviation safety system. He stated, “Helicopters should be subject to the same safety standards as planes; this is basic common sense.” He added, “Our laws and regulatory agencies must keep up with reality. Through this bill, we can reduce the risk of future accidents.”
Goldman pointed out that the sightseeing helicopter industry has long operated under lower standards by exploiting institutional gaps, posing a potential threat to passenger safety. He mentioned that bipartisan legislation is being pushed to ensure that all passengers, regardless of the aircraft they travel on, receive equal protection.
According to the bill, sightseeing helicopters will be required to comply with standards equivalent to “FAA Part 121” for commercial aviation in the future. They must equip cockpit voice and flight data recorders, terrain warning systems, and strengthen maintenance mechanisms and pilot fatigue management. Additionally, the bill plans to allocate $50 million annually from the 2026 fiscal year to 2030 to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for regulatory and enforcement efforts.
Family members of the victims stated during the meeting, “Flight safety is not a choice; it is a responsibility,” and called on all sectors of society to prevent tragedies from recurring through institutional reforms. They hope no other family will have to endure the same loss.
Data shows that Manhattan alone sees about 30,000 sightseeing helicopter flights annually, highlighting the undeniable safety risks. Just a few weeks ago, a fatal helicopter crash occurred on Kauai Island, Hawaii.
As per the bill’s design, the FAA must complete rulemaking within 18 months, cancel relevant exemptions, and submit progress reports to Congress within a year to ensure that helicopters are fully integrated into an equivalent safety system as commercial aviation.