Lawmakers Push For New Safety Bill 1 Year After Deadly Hudson River Chopper Crash

NEW YORK CITY — A group of lawmakers is calling for increased safety measures for sightseeing helicopter flights in the city, one year after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River killing a family of five from Spain and a pilot.

U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Nicole Malliotakis, Rob Menendez, Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat have introduced the Helicopter Safety and Parity Act, which would mandate the development of new safety rules and standards, requiring the use of specific safety equipment, and apply airline-equivalent maintenance standards.

In addition, the legislation would ensure strict enforcement and regular oversight. The bill also provides funding for inspectors to implement the new safety regime. If passed it would address safety gaps and reduce the risk of a similar crash in the future.

"The bill puts forth a simple notion: helicopters should be held to the same safety standards as airplanes. Such a notion is common sense, and it’s time for our laws and regulators to catch up. By adopting the safety measures outlined in the bill, we can work to reduce the risk of another crash in the future," Nadler said in a statement.

On April 10, 2025, a New York Helicopter Tours chopper broke apart midair and crashed into the Hudson River.

Pilot Sean Johnson, Agustín Escobar Cañadas, Mercè Camprubí Montal and their three children were all killed in the crash.

Elected officials are pushing for the legislation to be passed by Congress.

You can read the full text of the legislation here.