New Jersey Heliport Faces Shutdown Following Deadly Hudson River Crash
After frequently violating zoning laws, a New Jersey heliport may be closed, raising concerns about Hudson County tourist helicopter excursions. The news comes months after a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River 75 feet from Jersey City, killing six people, including a Spanish family.
RTC Holding and HHI Heliport, where the crashed helicopter took off, received infringement notices from Kearny authorities. Town officials said the heliport’s 2014 zoning permission limited operations to particular hours and banned sightseeing tours, so it couldn’t accommodate tourist flights. Local politicians now claim that HHI ignored those rules and allowed longer flight hours that disturbed Jersey City and Hoboken residents.
The infractions might cost the heliport its certificate of occupancy if not corrected by September 26. Company has not publicly replied to enforcement notice. New York Helicopter Tours, which crashed in April, closed.
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said the enforcement followed a three-month flight data analysis and resident concerns. Community members said that helicopters flew outside allowed times, sometimes as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 11 p.m., at low altitudes that caused safety concerns in densely populated areas. Guy said HHI’s leadership had promised to obey the rules, but they didn’t.
The town’s violation issuance was lauded by Stop the Chop NY/NJ and Safe Skies-Hudson County. They said homeowners had endured years of noise, low-flying aircraft, and tourist and commuter helicopter safety issues. Activists complained the heliport’s operations violated its original zoning limitations, which prohibited such flights.
This comes as political pressure increases to limit non-essential helicopter activity in the region. Governor Phil Murphy suggested last month that the FAA ban tourist planes over Newark Bay and reduce operating hours. New Jersey and New York lawmakers, including Rep. Rob Menendez, have also urged federal regulators to review helicopter traffic within 20 miles of the Statue of Liberty to limit its impact on residential neighborhoods.
Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle said HHI needed enforcement to be held accountable following years of complaints from neighbors. Federal, state, and municipal officials now agree that helicopter operators must follow stronger laws to protect residents and visitors. The shutdown threat against HHI may change the discussion over non-essential helicopter flying in Hudson County, where people have long complained about tourist flights’ noise and hazards.
Sources
NJ Advance Media reporting
Statements from Hudson County Executive Craig Guy
Statements from Kearny Mayor Carol Jean Doyle
Public advocacy groups Stop the Chop NY/NJ and Safe Skies-Hudson County
Governor Phil Murphy’s letter to the FAA
Statements from U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez
