90-Day Ban For Helicopter Company's 'Reckless' Operation: Town

EAST HAMPTON, NY —The Town of East Hampton has cracked town on a helicopter company that they say engaged in "unsafe and reckless" operations.

According to East Hampton Town officials, effective September 24, the Analar Corporation is prohibited from using the East Hampton Airport for 90 days.

"The decision to prohibit Analar was made by the town’s airport director following multiple unsafe and reckless operations at the airport," a release from Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc's office said.

Specifically, on August 28, 2019, a helicopter operated by Analar "engaged in reckless and dangerous operations at the East Hampton Airport when it flew approximately 100 feet over the Airport’s terminal building," the release said. "The airport manager notified Analar that such conduct violated the town’s airport code and would not be tolerated at the airport. Analar acknowledged that their pilot had conducted reckless and unsafe operations and advised that the situation was being handled internally."

Next, the town said, on August 31, "a second helicopter operated by Analar violated the town’s airport code by conducting careless, unsafe, and negligent operations at the East Hampton Airport when it flew at an altitude of approximately 250 feet above ground level over residences near the airport."

On September 23, the town prohibited Analar from using the East Hampton Airport for 90 days "due to Analar’s unsafe and reckless operations."

No aircraft owned and operated by Analar is permitted to use — to operate out of, take off, or land — at the East Hampton Airport until December 23, the release said.

Under the town's airport code, Analar has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the East Hampton town board; in the event that such an appeal is made, a hearing will be coordinated, the town said.

“Unsafe operations by aircraft using East Hampton Airport will not be tolerated,” said Van Scoyoc. “It is particularly disturbing that these aircraft, on a perfectly clear day, would fly below the agreed-upon voluntary minimum altitude. This was not only unsafe but violated the ‘Fly Neighborly’ protocol agreed to by the Eastern Region Helicopter Council in order to mitigate the considerable noise impacts from helicopters that affect our residents.”

Michael Renz, president of Analar, did not immediately respond to phone or email requests for comment.