New York — In a landmark decision, a New York jury has granted $116 million in damages to the family of Trevor Cadigan, a 26-year-old who perished along with four others when their open-door helicopter plunged into the East River and rapidly sank. The tragic incident in March 2018 trapped the passengers by their safety harnesses, leading to one of the largest verdicts in such a case.
The March 2018 tragedy involved a sightseeing helicopter operated by Liberty Helicopters and arranged by FlyNYON, a company known for its scenic flights over Manhattan. This particular flight turned disastrous when a passenger’s tether, designed to prevent falls, accidentally struck a fuel cutoff switch, causing the helicopter to lose power and crash into the river.
The jury found multiple parties at fault for Cadigan’s death, including Liberty Helicopters for operating the flight, FlyNYON for marketing the experience without adequate safety measures, and Dart Aerospace, which had provided a flotation device that failed during the crash. The malfunctioning device contributed to the aircraft’s inability to stay afloat, sinking drastically fast after hitting the water.
Simon Rhee, the pilot, managed to escape the submerged aircraft using his seatbelt, but the passengers, strapped with specially designed harnesses, were not so fortunate. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded these harnesses were excessively difficult to release, especially in emergencies, directly contributing to the casualties.
Victim Trevor Cadigan had moved to New York from Dallas to pursue journalism and was showing his visiting friend, Dallas firefighter Brian McDaniel, around the city. Others who lost their lives in the crash were tourists Carla Vallejos Blanco, Tristan Hill, and Daniel Thompson, each leaving behind devastated families and a series of unanswered questions regarding regulatory oversight in tourist aviation.
The NTSB criticized FlyNYON not merely for the harnesses but denounced the company’s employment of regulatory loopholes. Reports indicated that the terms “air tour” or “sightseeing” were deliberately avoided in company lingo to skirt stricter safety regulations usually required for tourist flights. Instead, FlyNYON secured certifications under categories meant for other aerial activities like photography and newsgathering.
In their defense submissions to the NTSB, FlyNYON put forth that the helicopter’s design and faulty flotation system were to blame. Conversely, Dart Aerospace suggested misuse of their flotation device by the pilot. The pilot claimed the passengers were briefed on emergency procedures, including how to sever themselves from the restraints, albeit such guidance proved inadequate at the crucial moment.
The aftermath of the crash saw a temporary grounding of doors-off flights by the Federal Aviation Administration. The authority recommenced the flights later but with new stipulations for simpler, single-action restraints that could aid quicker escapes in emergencies.
This substantial jury verdict not only highlights significant lapses in aerial tour safety but also underscores a pressing need for rigorous oversight and restructuring of safety protocols to prevent future tragedies. As regulatory bodies and helicopter tour companies revisit their policies, the haunting memory of the East River crash serves as a grim reminder of what is at stake.