New York City, New York – Federal aviation regulators have taken urgent action by issuing an emergency order to ground a helicopter tour company following a fatal crash that claimed the lives of five Spanish tourists and the pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about the company’s safety protocols after discovering that the operations director was fired immediately after agreeing to suspend flights pending the investigation, leading to suspicions of retaliation.

The New York Helicopter Tours sightseeing helicopter tragically broke apart in midair, plummeting into the Hudson River and resulting in the loss of six lives. Among the victims were a family of five from Spain – Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three young children, Victor, Mercedes, and Agustin. The pilot, Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran, also perished in the crash.

Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau expressed deep concern over the firing of the operations director, Jason Costello, who had voluntarily decided to suspend flights. The sudden termination of Costello’s employment raised red flags for the FAA, prompting a comprehensive review of the company’s operations, focusing on regulatory compliance and safety management.

In a startling turn of events, the company’s CEO, Michael Roth, contradicted Costello’s decision to halt flights merely 16 minutes after it was communicated to the FAA. This abrupt action, coupled with Costello’s dismissal, has sparked fears of compromised safety measures within the company, as highlighted in the FAA’s order.

Furthermore, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported significant progress in the recovery efforts of the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter components from the Hudson River. Working in collaboration with New York City police divers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Jersey City’s Office of Emergency Management, key elements such as the main rotor system and tail rotor system were recovered to aid in determining the cause of the tragic crash.

As authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash and the subsequent actions of the tour company, a spotlight has been cast on the safety standards and regulatory oversight within the sightseeing flight industry. The loss of innocent lives has reignited discussions on the need for stringent safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future, underscoring the importance of accountability and adherence to aviation regulations.