Helicopter Based In NJ Crashed In NYC, Killing Pilot: Police

NEW YORK, NY — The helicopter that crashed into a midtown Manhattan high rise Monday was likely heading to its home base in New Jersey when the fatal accident occurred, NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said.

O'Neill said the helicopter took off from the 34th Street heliport 11 minutes before the 1:45 p.m. accident. Timothy Jude McCormack was the only person aboard the Agusta A109E helicopter when it crashed on the roof of 787 Seventh Ave.

McCormack lived in Clinton Corners, heavy.com reported. The helicopter was based in Linden.

Paul Dudley, the Linden Airport manager, said McCormack was highly experienced and trained, telling The Record that "he’s been flying around the New York area and different places for many, many years."

“Something had to have happened," Dudley told The Record. "Either something mechanical or something weather-related that overwhelmed the pilot. Because you had a highly trained, highly experienced veteran pilot in a top-notch aircraft. Something must have happened to overwhelm him.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, McCormack was certified as a commercial pilot in 2004 and as a flight instructor for rotorcraft-helicopter in 2018.

McCormack was a member of the Clinton, N.Y. Volunteer Fire Department and served as chief of the department for 10 years.

"Chief McCormack was extremely respected by not only the members of the department, but throughout the Dutchess County fire service," the Clinton Fire Department posted on its Facebook page. "Tim will be exceptionally missed by this department's members, not only for his leadership but for his wonderful sense of humor."

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro offered his condolences on McCormack's death.

“While yet unconfirmed by the City of New York Police Department, initial reports indicate the pilot in today’s crash in midtown Manhattan to be Tim McCormack of Clinton Corners. We mourn his loss, a past Chief of the East Clinton Fire District following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as distinguished first responders in Poughkeepsie, and we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Tim served his community well through his selfless service as a former first responder, and we share our sympathies with his loved ones during this difficult time,” he said in a prepared statement.

The building, which is located between West 51st and 52nd streets, was evacuated and several midtown blocks were closed in the wake of the crash.

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