Company Fired Director Of Ops For Voluntarily Stopping Flights

The FAA issued an emergency order shutting down New York Helicopter Charter, Inc., partly because the company fired its director of operations for his decision to stop flights in the aftermath of a catastrophic failure in one of its aircraft that caused it to crash into the Hudson River, killing the six people aboard.

In a statement, the FAA said, "The FAA is taking this action in part because after the company’s director of operations voluntarily shut down flights, he was fired.” The FAA also said it is conducting a thorough review of the company’s operations and safety record.

The agency said, "The review, known as a Certificate Holder Evaluation Program (CHEP), determines whether an operator complies with applicable regulation and effectively manages safety, and identifies hazards and risks so the FAA and operator can mitigate them.”

"The FAA is already analyzing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options. Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public,” the FAA added.

The company’s suspension will remain in force until all necessary personnel and safety protocols are in place. In addition, the company was ordered to surrender its Air Carrier Certificate pending the outcome of the review.

The accident on April 10 involved a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, which appeared to come apart in midair and fell into the water near Jersey City, New Jersey. It resulted in the deaths of pilot Sean Johnson, a Navy veteran Seal, along with Agustin Escobar and his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children, all from Barcelona, Spain.

Mr. Escobar was the CEO of Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility while Mrs. Escobar was an executive with Siemens Energy, both separate companies within the German conglomerate Siemens AG.

FMI:  www.faa.gov/