2009 Hudson River mid-air collision

Fatal aviation accident the August 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision the other aviation incident in the Hudson River in 2009 US Airways Flight 1549 February 2025 August 2022 August 2022 2009 Hudson River mid-air collision Hudsoncollision1.jpg Agencies searching for the bodies and debris from the collision. August 8, 2009 Mid-air collision Accident Hudson River; near Hoboken, N.J., across from Manhattan 40 44 32 N 74 01 21 W region:US-NJ_type:event inline,title 11 9 0 PiperSaragtogaIITC.jpg A Piper PA-32R similar to the one involved in the incident Piper PA-32RAlan Elsner Paul Simao Todd Eastham Helicopter, plane collide over Hudson, 9 likely dead August 8, 2009 Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5771L520090808 August 8, 2009 August 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090811003159/http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5771L520090808 live Private Operator N71MC Teterboro Airport, New Jersey, United States Ocean City Municipal Airport, New Jersey, United States 3 2 1 3 0 Eurocopter AS350 N401LH of Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours, 28 June 2002.jpg N401LH, the Eurocopter AS350 involved in the accident in a previous livery in 2002 Eurocopter AS350Pervaiz Shallwani Matthew Chayes Nine believed dead in Hudson River crash August 8, 2009 Newsday http://www.newsday.com/news/nine-believed-dead-in-hudson-river-crash-1.1357113 August 8, 2009 August 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090809181715/http://www.newsday.com/news/nine-believed-dead-in-hudson-river-crash-1.1357113 dead Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours N401LH West 30th Street Heliport, New York, United States West 30th Street Heliport, New York, United States 6 5 1 6 0 Small plane and helicopter collide over Hudson River in New York City On August 8, 2009, at 11:53 a.m. (15:53 UTC), nine people died when a tour Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil helicopter and a small private Piper PA-32R airplane collided over the Hudson River near Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey, United States.Robert McFadden 9 Dead After Copter and Plane Collide Over Hudson August 9, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/continuous/09crash.html The New York Times August 14, 2009 February 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120206114959/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/continuous/09crash.html live The aircraft were in an area known as the "Hudson River VFR Corridor", which extends from the surface of the river to altitudes of 800 to 1500 ft m at various locations along the Hudson River in the immediate area of New York City. Within this corridor, aircraft operate under visual flight rules (VFR), under which the responsibility to see and avoid other air traffic rests with the individual pilots rather than with the air traffic controller (ATC). Because of the heavy commercial air traffic into Newark, LaGuardia, and Kennedy airports, an air traffic control clearance is required to operate in much of the airspace around the city. Since ATC is often unwilling to grant this discretionary VFR clearance because of traffic volume, many airplanes that need to transit the New York metro area use the VFR corridor as an alternative to going east of the city (over water) or west (toward Pennsylvania). The corridor is also heavily used by helicopter tour companies, which take passengers on sight-seeing tours of the New York skyline.Officials Demand Tighter Control, or Even a Ban, of Hudson Air Traffic The New York Times August 10, 2009 August 11, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/nyregion/11collide.html Matthew L. Wald Al Baker May 13, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130513140845/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/nyregion/11collide.html live Background Visual flight rules on the river corridors by Manhattan had been subject to considerable debate since the 2006 crash in which New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle crashed into an apartment building while flying using visual flight rules on the East River.David Caruso Samantha Gross Suzanne Ma Amy Westfeldt Beth DeFalco Geoff Mulvihill Samantha Henry Kathy Matheson Joan Lowy Julie Reed Plane, Copter Collide Over Hudson; 9 Believed Dead August 8, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/08/us/AP-US-Hudson-Mid-Air-Collision.html The New York Times August 9, 2009 This was the first aircraft collision over the Hudson River since 1976.https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=55638&key=0 NTSB Probable Cause Report August 22, 2009 NTSB https://web.archive.org/web/20050329075825/http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=55638&key=0 March 29, 2005 livehttps://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=55639&key=0 NTSB Probable Cause Report August 22, 2009 NTSB dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050329040939/https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=55639&key=0 March 29, 2005 The collision, which occurred opposite 14th Street in Manhattan, was about 2 mi south of where US Airways Flight 1549 ditched in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, with no loss of life, after the plane suffered a complete loss of thrust following a bird strike. Collision thumb|right|A frame of video taken immediately before the collisionThe light aircraft was a 6-seat Piper PA-32R-300 Cherokee Lance built in 1976 and piloted by Steven Altman with two passengers. Altman was given clearance from the tower at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, at 11:48 a.m. to take off.The Minutes Before the Collision August 14, 2009 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/08/14/nyregion/15crashmap.ready.html August 24, 2009 August 18, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090818194038/http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2009/08/14/nyregion/15crashmap.ready.html live It departed at 11:49 a.m. and was headed for Ocean City, New Jersey. The helicopter, a Eurocopter AS350 built in 1997 carrying five Italian tourists and its pilot, took off from the West 30th Street Heliport at 11:52 am. At about the same time, Teterboro tower radioed Altman in the Piper at take-off requesting him to pick his flight path towards Ocean City, and indicate whether he wished to head there via the Hudson River, or take a southwest tack. Altman replied "Either". "Let me know" was the response from the tower, with Altman answering "OK, tell you what, I will take down the river."Tom Hays Victor Epstein 2 bodies found in Hudson River plane wreckage August 11, 2009 The Associated Press http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/national/northeast/nat_ap_nj_2_bodies_found_in_hudson_river_plane_wreckage_20090812649_2755703 August 14, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20091124141402/http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/national/northeast/nat_ap_nj_2_bodies_found_in_hudson_river_plane_wreckage_20090812649_2755703 November 24, 2009 Altman was then instructed to contact Newark Liberty International Airport, a directive he agreed to. However, he did not contact the tower at Newark. It later transpired that, in acknowledging the instruction to contact Newark, Altman had read back the wrong frequency (127.8 MHz instead of 127.85), an error that the controller did not correct.NTSB AAR 10/05, page 12, para. 2 Soon after, a controller at Newark who was concerned about aircraft in the Piper's path contacted the Teterboro controller and asked him to attempt to re-establish contact. All attempts to contact Altman and change his aircraft's heading were unsuccessful.Joan Lowy Transcript: Controller joked about barbecuing cat August 20, 2009 The Associated Press https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCJN2Wyd01AZIxooIYmr3QOOzBAAD9A6B7QO0 August 22, 2009June 2024 medicmedic After the failure to contact Altman, a radar alert about a possible collision occurred in both the Newark and Teterboro towers. However, the two controllers did not remember seeing or hearing this alert. While heading south down river, the airplane was seen to be behind the sightseeing helicopter, which was going about half the speed of the airplane. The pilot of another helicopter (who was refueling at the heliport) saw the impending accident, and attempted to warn both the airborne helicopter and the plane by radio, but received no response. At 11:53:14 am, the Piper's left wing crashed into the Eurocopter, severing the left wing of the airplane and rotor blades from the helicopter. Most witnesses reported the plane entering a nose dive while spiraling into the river, while the helicopter dropped into the water. The collision occurred at approximately 1100 ft m MSL altitude and was caught on tape by an Italian tourist.Sarah Harlan Deadly mid-air collision above Hudson River August 8, 2009 WFIE http://www.14wfie.com/global/story.asp?s=10871490 August 9, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090810010220/http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=10871490 August 10, 2009 dead Less than a minute after the collision occurred, the Teterboro controller contacted the Newark tower to inquire about the airplane, and was told that the airplane had not contacted Newark. Nine people died in the collision. All recovered victims died from blunt trauma to the head, torso and extremities, according to the NYC medical examiner's office. National Weather Service weather conditions at noon in New York City stations on the day of the collision were described as "sunny" or "partly sunny" with a temperature of between 73 and 75 F C and variable wind speed of 3 – 10 mph km/h kn 0.Other Surface Observations August 8, 2009 National Weather Service http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=OKX&product=OSO&format=CI&version=26&glossary=1 August 9, 2009 August 16, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090816015642/http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=OKX&product=OSO&format=CI&version=26&glossary=1 live Authorities said the Piper's "low wing" design made it difficult to see below the aircraft and the helicopter's rotors make it difficult to see above. In addition, neither small aircraft was required to have a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder.Al Baker Michael Grynbaum Airspace Above Hudson a Highway With Few Signs August 9, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/nyregion/10collide.html The New York Times August 19, 2009 September 23, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923095614/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/nyregion/10collide.html live Emergency response Rescue thumb|150px|alt=Rescue service personnel looking up at an overhead helicopter.|Emergency services stand by after the mid-air collision Immediately following the accident, the Coast Guard had reported that the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) had rescued one survivor from the Hudson River;Coast Guard suspends search in mid-air collision on Hudson August 8, 2009 United States Coast Guard http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/802/299565/ August 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090815122107/http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/802/299565/ August 15, 2009 live however, this report was shown to be incorrect. In addition to FDNY, six rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station New York, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, several Coast Guard Auxiliary assets, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), New Jersey State Police, and local emergency services all participated in the rescue effort. The Red Cross and the New York Harbor Police also assisted in the efforts. At about 3:00 pm, Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, addressed questions in a press conference. Calling the crash "an accident which we do not believe was survivable," Bloomberg announced that the mission was no longer a rescue mission, but rather a recovery mission.Tourist helicopter, plane collide over Hudson River August 8, 2009 CNN http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/08/hudson.helicopter.crash/index.html August 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090809003548/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/08/hudson.helicopter.crash/index.html August 9, 2009 live On the night of August 8, 2009, the US Coast Guard maintained a 2 mi 0 on safety zone from the Holland Tunnel to the Lincoln Tunnel, requiring vessels to move slowly and stay within 400 yd -2 of the Manhattan side while passing through the area. The safety zone was maintained by the Coast Guard cutter Penobscot Bay. Recovery On the afternoon of the crash, divers had recovered two bodies from the water. By the next morning, a total of four bodies had been found, while the other five victims were presumed dead.Al Baker Christine Hauser Divers End Day's Search After Finding Wreckage August 10, 2009 http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/divers-resume-search-for-plane-wreckage/?hp The New York Times August 19, 2009 August 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120820151956/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/divers-resume-search-for-plane-wreckage/?hp live Al Baker Colin Moynihan Last Bodies Recovered From River After Crash August 11, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/nyregion/12collide.html The New York Times August 19, 2009 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003220834/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/nyregion/12collide.html live Meanwhile, the helicopter's wreckage was found in about 30 ft m -1 of water, far from the wreckage fields of the plane. Aided by a sonar, investigators attempted to discover the plane's debris in deeper water near the mid-channel point of the Hudson. Their efforts were hindered, however, by poor visibility underwater and a storm on August 9. The efforts succeeded on August 10, when the plane's wreckage was discovered in approximately 60 ft m -1 of water, and was recovered from the river on the afternoon of August 11. Additionally, the last few bodies were found in the wreckage of the plane, ending the search for bodies. The recovery effort was led by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with the aid of NYPD boats, New Jersey State Police divers, and the FDNY.August 9, 2009 Dinges Tomás August 9, 2009 NJ.com Employer says helicopter pilot in fatal midair crash over Hudson was skilled and respected http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/divers_resume_recovery_and_sal.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090812133319/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/divers_resume_recovery_and_sal.html August 12, 2009 liveJennifer Maloney NTSB eyes Hudson airspace as victims' search continues August 9, 2009 Newsday http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/ntsb-eyes-hudson-airspace-as-victims-search-continues-1.1358587 August 10, 2009 August 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090811060011/http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/ntsb-eyes-hudson-airspace-as-victims-search-continues-1.1358587 dead Investigation thumb|150px|Wreckage of the plane being recovered on August 11 thumb | right | Wreckage of the Eurocopter AS350 with Manhattan and the Empire State Building at the background On August 14, 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board released a report regarding the incident. The report discussed several aspects of the collision, including locations of origin of the aircraft, planned destination, and air traffic control communications. In addition, the report discussed how one of the controllers at Teterboro Airport was on a phone call and did not warn the airplane pilot of the potential conflict.NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON ITS INVESTIGATION INTO THE MIDAIR COLLISION OVER THE HUDSON RIVER August 14, 2009 National Transportation Safety Board http://ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090814.html August 20, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090820072405/http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090814.html August 20, 2009 dead The National Air Traffic Controller's Union (NATCA) then issued their own press release disputing some of the phrasing in the NTSB's report.NATCA Strongly Disputes NTSB Inference August 17, 2009 http://www.natca.com/mediacenter/press-release-detail.aspx?id=625 August 22, 2009 https://archive.today/20090907154103/http://www.natca.com/mediacenter/press-release-detail.aspx?id=625 September 7, 2009 dead The NTSB then retracted some of its statements regarding the controller's part in the crash, saying that the controller could not have warned the plane about the tour helicopter because the tour helicopter was not on the controller's radar. The NTSB also removed NATCA as a party to the investigation as a result of NATCA's press release, as parties to NTSB investigations agree to let the NTSB control publicity during the investigation.NTSB Relieves Air Traffic Controllers Group of Party Status August 17, 2009 https://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090817a.html August 22, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110604134641/https://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090817a.html June 4, 2011 dead NATCA could still submit information to the board regarding the accident, but they would no longer hold a seat on the investigation board. Due to the accident, the FAA put the Teterboro controller and his supervisor on leave and commented that the phone call was inappropriate but didn't appear to contribute to the accident. However, the NTSB rebuked the FAA for doing so, stating that only the NTSB has the authority to determine the controller's contribution to the incident. On September 14, 2010, the NTSB released its final report on the incident. The report cited two primary causes of the accident: (1) the "inherent limitations" of the see-and-avoid concept, which meant that from the airplane pilot's point of view, the helicopter would have appeared as a small, stationary object against a backdrop of the New York City skyline until the final seconds before the collision; and (2) the Teterboro controller's personal phone call, which distracted him from his air traffic control duties and prevented him from correcting the airplane pilot's incorrect readback of the Newark control tower's radio frequency.Midair Collision Over Hudson River – Piper PA-32R-300, N71MC and Eurocopter AS350BA, N401LH Near Hoboken, New Jersey August 8, 2009 https://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2010/AAR1005.pdf National Transportation Safety Board https://web.archive.org/web/20121014023138/http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2010/AAR1005.pdf October 14, 2012 dead Aftermath Reaction Reaction from government officials, aviation industry groups, and individuals was widespread. The FAA convened a "New York Airspace Working Group" on August 14, 2009. The group was to solicit comments from helicopter and aircraft operators, and review the operating procedures of the Hudson and East River VFR corridors. They were required to report to FAA administrator Babbitt by August 28.FAA Airspace Group Will Recommend Safety Improvements in New York August 14, 2009 Federal Aviation Administration http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10718 August 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090828002256/http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10718 August 28, 2009 dead A NOTAM issued on August 11, 2009, advised pilots flying in the area to turn on their lights, use the designated self-announce radio frequencies, and fly at a speed of 140 knots or less.http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_3952.html NOTAM August 19, 2009 August 11, 2009 Federal Aviation Administration August 28, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090828002317/http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_3952.html live Fifteen members of Congress, led by Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-New York), sent a letter to FAA administrator J. Randolph Babbitt calling for "immediate action to provide greater oversight of small aircraft operations".FAA pressed for immediate restrictions on NYC airspace August 12, 2009 Newsday http://www.newsday.com/long-island/faa-pressed-for-immediate-restrictions-on-nyc-airspace-1.1365267 August 19, 2009 August 16, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090816181859/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/faa-pressed-for-immediate-restrictions-on-nyc-airspace-1.1365267 dead In a press conference on August 8, 2009, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (an airplane and helicopter pilot himselfBloomberg Michael Michael Bloomberg Matthew Winkler Bloomberg by Bloomberg August 27, 2001 Wiley 214 https://archive.org/details/bloombergbybloom00bloo/page/214 978-0-471-20888-4) stated that "Until the National Transportation Safety Board makes a determination, nothing is a fact", and stressed that the investigation could take weeks or months before those facts were known.Bloomberg on Hudson Crash August 8, 2009 CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5227150n August 19, 2009 August 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090810152347/http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5227150n dead Representatives from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), including AOPA President Craig Fuller, appeared on news programs and collaborated with news sources to explain the workings of the Hudson River VFR corridor and the safety record of flights in that area.AOPA reaches out to media in wake of N.Y. accident August 10, 2009 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/region/2009/090810aopaoutreach.html August 19, 2009 September 21, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090921072001/http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/region/2009/090810aopaoutreach.html live NTSB recommendations The NTSB issued a "Safety Recommendation" to the FAA on August 27, 2009. Because of the accident airplane's intended flight path, the NTSB believes that the pilot may have wanted to climb out of the uncontrolled VFR corridor into the controlled Class B airspace above. However, for reasons unknown as yet, he was not in communication with any air traffic controllers after he switched frequencies from Teterboro tower. He also apparently was not communicating on the Corridor's self-announce frequency. The NTSB recommended that the FAA revise the procedures for ATC facilities in the area to facilitate the process for VFR traffic that wishes to transit Class B airspace. This included establishing procedures to coordinate such requests between facilities; requiring controllers to instruct pilots to self-announce on the VFR corridor frequency if they are unable to immediately enter Class B airspace; adding information to area Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcasts reminding pilots to use the self-announce frequency; and ensuring that pilots are provided with traffic advisories if they are in contact with a controller. Additionally, the NTSB recommended that ATC controllers and supervisors be briefed in the circumstances of this accident; that a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) be established for the location requiring special training for pilots transiting the area; and that helicopters be required to operate at lower altitudes than airplanes in the corridor to minimize the speed differences.https://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2009/A09_82_86.pdf Safety Recommendation August 27, 2009 August 27, 2009 NTSB https://web.archive.org/web/20090920033049/http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2009/A09_82_86.pdf September 20, 2009 live FAA changes On September 2, 2009, the FAA announced a plan to improve safety of flights in the corridor. The proposed changes include standardizing the height of the VFR corridor to 1300 ft m. In addition, many existing procedures that have been treated as "Suggested" items for flying the corridor will now be mandatory, including operating landing lights; maintaining a speed of 140 kn mph or less while flying in the corridor; monitoring and announcing on the area Common Traffic Advisory Frequency; and travelling along the west shore when southbound and along the east shore when northbound. Pilots will be required to have appropriate charts available, and to familiarize themselves with the applicable rules before flying in the corridor. Additionally, pilot training courses for both transient pilots and charter helicopter pilots will be developed. An implementation timeline was not initially announced.FAA Announces Plan to Enhance Safety for New York Airspace September 2, 2009 Federal Aviation Administration http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10777 September 3, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090907111142/http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10777 September 7, 2009 dead The FAA instituted new rules for the Hudson River corridor beginning November 19, 2009, establishing three air traffic zones. Under 1000 ft m, planes and helicopters for sightseeing and lingering would be allowed. From 1000 to 1300 ft m, aircraft would be allowed to fly without air traffic control handling. Above 1300 ft m, aircraft would be allowed to traverse the corridor under the handling of air traffic control.Al Baker Matthew Wald New Rules to Begin for Hudson River Airspace November 16, 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/nyregion/17hudson.html The New York Times November 18, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20130706012547/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/nyregion/17hudson.html July 6, 2013 live See also List of civilian mid-air collisions 2019 Alaska mid-air collision – another mid-air collision involving commercial VFR sightseeing flights References 30em External links Flight track data for N71MC, the PA-32 involved in the crash, from flightwise.com NTSB Aircraft Accident Report 10/05: Midair Collision over Hudson River, August 8, 2009 Pre-crash photos of N401LH Aviation New York City Category:2009 in New Jersey Category:Hoboken, New Jersey Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in New Jersey Category:2009 in New York City Category:Mid-air collisions involving airliners Category:Mid-air collisions involving helicopters Category:Mid-air collisions in the United States Category:Aviation accidents and incidents caused by air traffic controller error Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in New York City Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States in 2009 Category:August 2009 in the United States Category:Hudson River Category:Filmed deaths during aviation accidents and incidents Category:Accidents and incidents involving the Eurocopter AS350