NEW YORK, June 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A helicopter crash-landed on top of a high-rise in midtown Manhattan Monday, starting a fire and leaving one person dead as the entire building shook from the impact.
Emergency services fanned out around the 54-story building on Seventh Avenue after what was described as a “hard-landing” by a chopper that took off barely 10 minutes earlier from a heliport in the city.
The New York fire department confirmed one fatality — presumed to be the pilot, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“There were no other injuries that we know of at this point in time to anyone in the building or on the ground,” he said: adding: “Thank God for that.”
The pilot was the only person on board the chopper, according to US aviation regulators.
“There is no indication at this time that this was an act of terror,” said de Blasio. “And there is no ongoing threat to New York City based on all the information we have right now.”
Video footage of the aftermath of the crash showed a gray plume of smoke drifting away from the top of the building.
The city fire department said it had extinguished a fire on the building’s roof — the height of which posed a challenge to firefighters.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the chopper as an Agusta A109E and said the crash occurred about 1:45 pm (1745 GMT).
The National Transportation Safety Board “will be in charge of the investigation and will determine the probable cause of the accident,” the FAA tweeted.
President Donald Trump said he had been kept informed of the situation.
“I have been briefed on the helicopter crash in New York City. Phenomenal job by our GREAT First Responders who are currently on the scene. THANK YOU for all you do 24/7/365! The Trump Administration stands ready should you need anything at all,” Trump tweeted. — NNN-AGENCIES
