Listen to the Hudson 911 crash calls released by the authorities. See photos, video and find out the latest on the tragic collision of a sightseeing helicopter and a small plane over the airways of New York City’s Hudson River which took place on Saturday August 8, 2009.
The mid-air collision above the skies of New York City had no survivors. As heard in the 911 calls, several eyewitnesses called to report what they seen above the Hudson River.
Aboard the helicopter were the pilot and five Italian tourists. The sightseeing helicopter owned by Liberty Helicopters had lifted off from from the West 30th Street heliport in Manhattan. The small plane had taken off from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, across the Hudson River, and in addition to the pilot, carried two passengers. The pilot was, also the owner of the plane, was Steven M. Altman. One of the passengers was his brother, Daniel Altman, and the other passenger a teenage boy.
In the days after the tragedy, elected officials in New York City have pressed for new regulations by the F.A.A. which might prevent future tragedies. Namely, two members of Congress, Jerrold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney who represent districts in Manhattan, as well as several members of the City Council. In a statement, Congressman Nadler said:
“Saturday’s terrible crash is a tragic and powerful reminder of what we have known for some time - that New York’s airspace is far too congested to be unregulated by the FAA.
“It is unconscionable that the FAA permits unregulated flights in a crowded airspace in a major metropolitan area. . . . The Hudson River flight corridor must not continue to be the Wild West.”
For his part, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, in speaking to reporters at an elementary school in East Harlem on Monday, August 10.
“I’m not going to pressure the F.A.A. They don’t need me weighing in. They know certainly well what goes on there. They are professionals. I assume they’re going to wait until the National Transportation Safety Board to make its report and then they’ll make their decisions.”
You can read more about the unfolding story in greater detail here.
Witnesses in the Hudson 911 crash calls released reveal the unfolding tragedy that day as seen in an excerpt of the transcript.
Caller: “It’s in the water. Boats are going towards it.”
Operator: “Hold on a minute, One Marine View Plaza?”
Caller: “Yes, it’s down, it’s gone, that person, I have no idea.”
Operator: “A helicopter in the water, you say?”
Caller: “Yes! It crashed, it crashed, it’s disintegrated. It’s sunk!”
Additionally, Italian officials have opened up a manslaughter probe in the unfolding case, representing Silvia Rigamonti whose husband and child died in the crash. She is quoted as saying: “”It’s not possible that such things should happen.”
More photos, video footage, and hear the Hudson 911 crash calls released via the video below.
