A helicopter crash landed into a building in New York City Monday killing the pilot according to various news reports.
Via CBS News:
A helicopter crashed onto the roof of a 54-story building Monday afternoon in Midtown Manhattan, killing the pilot, New York City police and fire officials said. No one else was injured in the crash, which officials said appeared to be an accident — not an act of terrorism. The crash sparked a two-alarm fire at the building, located at 787 7th Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Streets, not far from Times Square.
A New York City Police Department source told CBS News that the helicopter crash-landed on the roof but did not go into the building. The weather was foggy and rainy at the time.
Video of the helicopter flying erratically prior to the crash has surfaced while the incident is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the crash smoke could be seen billowing from the top of the 54 story office building.
The Pilot was identified as Tim McCormick and was the only person aboard. “McCormick is an experienced pilot and very well respected in the aircraft community,” said Paul Dudley, airport manager in Linden, New Jersey, where the helicopter flew out of. This also wasn’t the first time McCormick had problems when it came to an emergency with the helicopter he was flying. According to reports, McCormick had to undertake an emergency landing prior after the helicopter he was flying struck a bird.
Meanwhile maybe the biggest question regarding the crash is why Mr. McCormick thought it was okay to take off in the less than optimal flying conditions in and around New York City today? Aside from that the mainstream media is bringing up the question as to why the pilot was flying around in restricted airspace due to Trump Tower nearby? You can only assume though McCormick was trying to find a place to land and I’m sure restriction was the last thing on his mind.
