Gov. Phil Murphy wants federal officials to ban or sharply reduce non-essential helicopter flights in New Jersey after a tourist helicopter crashed in the Hudson River on April 10 killed six people, including a family from Spain.
In a August 18 letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford, Murphy specifically requested that FAA “exercise its authority to prohibit or sharply reduce the number of non-essential helicopter flights operating in the state.”
Murphy cited the April 10 fatal crash of a tourist helicopter into the Hudson River, “75 feet from the Jersey City waterfront.”
That crash involved a tourist helicopter that was based in Kearny and flew over densely populated Jersey City and Hoboken neighborhoods to reach Manhattan.
The National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, is still investigating the cause.
“A future crash over land could have more devastating consequences,” Murphy wrote. “We must not wait for such a tragedy to occur before taking decisive action.”
If non-essential flights aren’t banned, Murphy asked the FAA for less disruptive and safer flight patterns away from populated Jersey City and Hoboken neighborhoods.
He also asked the FAA to limit hours for non-essential flights, similar to the restrictions the FAA enacted for tourist helicopter flights in Hawaii over Volcanoes National Park.
In the case of the HHI Heliport in Kearny, where the ill-fated tourist helicopter departed from in April, Murphy said those flights should be routed over Newark Bay and away from populated Hoboken and Jersey City neighborhood.
Flight times should be limited from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., because “residents deserve peace and quiet in the mornings and evenings,” Murphy wrote.
Residents have complained about helicopter flights buzzing their neighborhoods earlier than 7 a.m. and as late as 11 p.m. that make noise louder than higher flying airliners.
“We will reach out directly to Governor Murphy about his letter,” said an FAA spokesperson. The agency has jurisdiction over the nation’s airspace.
In addition to Murphy’s bill, a bipartisan bill introduced Tuesday by a quartet of New Jersey and New York members of Congress is demanding a study and follow up action.
That bill was introduced Tuesday by U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez, D-6th Dist., of New Jersey and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.)
It would require the FAA to study helicopter impacts in a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty and examine solutions to divert helicopter traffic from residential and recreational areas.
“I’ve heard from constituents whose quality of life is severely impacted by non-essential helicopters,” Menendez said in a statement. “The tragic crash of a tourism helicopter in the Hudson River just a few months ago makes it clear that this is a safety issue as well. It’s time for the FAA to act.”
Murphy’s letter and the bill got enthusiastic support from local officials and citizens groups who have been lobbying for federal regulation and reduction of the flights
“The persistent helicopter traffic over our city is not only a nuisance but a serious threat to public safety and our residents’ quality of life, said Hoboken Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “I have long called for strict limits on non-essential flights, and the FAA can no longer ignore the growing outcry from elected leaders and residents to better protect us.”
Members of a bi-state helicopter safety coalition praised Murphys action and called on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to make a similar request of the FAA.
“Stop the Chop NY/NJ applauds Governor Phil Murphy for standing up for long-suffering communities,” said Melissa Elstein, board chairperson and coalition organizer. “Too many New Yorkers and Jerseyites’ lives are at risk to wait for such a tragedy to occur before taking decisive action.”
Coalition members have complained before and after the crash about low flying helicopters over neighborhoods, and where they would land in the event of a mechanical problem.
“This letter articulates our concerns and our hopes exactly. There are far too many tourist and commuter helicopter flights that fly right over our heads in this incredibly densely populated metropolitan area,” said Nick Wierda of Jersey City, a Stop the Chop member. “We are very glad that our governor is addressing it.”
Bailey Wood, a spokesperson for Vertical Aviation International, an association of helicopter operators, pilots, owners and manufacturers said some flight reductions have already taken place in June after meetings with Hudson County Executive Craig Guy.
“VAI appreciates Governor Murphy’s interest in community compatibility issues and welcomes him to join the ongoing conversation,” Wood said. “We welcome every opportunity to work with policymakers, local leaders, and communities on real solutions that address community concerns related to the impact of our operations.”
HHI Heliport in Kearny voluntarily agreed not to contract another tour company to replace the now-defunct New York Helicopters, meaning a reduction of estimated 3,000 flights per year in the area, Guy said in a release.
HHI also agreed that 90% of the trips out of the Kearny heliport will take place from 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the spring/summer/fall and 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the winter, he said.
But Stop the Chop’s Elstein said limiting hours wouldn’t reduce the noise and safety problems for residents.
“The majority of current nonessential flights from the Kearny Heliport already take place between those hours,” she said. “We reiterate our support instead for the prohibition, or at the very least a substantial reduction, of nonessential helicopter flights.”
Wood said the association participated in a helicopter forum held by Congressman Menendez with the FAA earlier this year.
“We pledged to work harder to be better neighbors and we this is another example of how we continue to put action to words,” Wood said.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Larry Higgs may be reached at [email protected].
Follow him on X@CommutingLarry and on BlueSky@commutinglarry.bsky.social
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
