New York – A New York City jury has awarded $116 million to the relatives of Trevor Cadigan, a 26-year-old journalist who perished in a tragic helicopter accident in March 2018, along with four other passengers. The incident occurred when an open-door sightseeing helicopter plunged into the East River, its passengers trapped in safety harnesses that subsequently led to their deaths.
Cadigan, originally from Dallas, had moved to New York to pursue journalism and was showing the city to his visiting friend, Brian McDaniel, a firefighter, also from Dallas, when the tragedy struck. The crash claimed the lives of McDaniel, 26; Carla Vallejos Blanco, 29; Tristan Hill, 29; and Daniel Thompson, 34, all of whom were unable to free themselves from the specialized harnesses designed for aerial photography.
The aircraft, operated by Liberty Helicopters and arranged by FlyNYON, a company known for its aerial photography flights, encountered a critical malfunction shortly after takeoff. Federal investigators determined that a passenger’s tether inadvertently shut off the helicopter’s fuel supply by snagging on the emergency fuel shutoff switch, leading to the fatal crash.
In the aftermath, FlyNYON was heavily criticized by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for using harnesses that were difficult to escape and exploiting regulatory loopholes to avoid stricter safety measures. The company had promoted the flights for extreme photography experiences, including “sneaker selfies,” encouraging photos of passengers’ feet hanging over famous New York landmarks.
During the trial, testimonies revealed that although passengers received a pre-flight safety briefing on how to cut themselves out of the harnesses, the urgency and complexity of the situation proved too overwhelming. This was compounded by an ineffective flotation device manufactured by Dart Aerospace, which failed to keep the sinking helicopter afloat and upright. Although Dart suggested that the pilot misused the equipment, the pilot contended that the deployment and functionality of the flotation device were as intended.
Following the incident, there was a temporary suspension of doors-off helicopter flights by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The flights resumed later with new regulations, requiring restraints that can be released with a single action to ensure quicker escapes in emergencies.
This latest legal verdict attributes responsibilities not only to the flight operator, Liberty Helicopters, and the experience organizer, FlyNYON, but also to Dart Aerospace for the role of the malfunctioning flotation device. Messages seeking comments from the attorneys representing the affected families and the three companies found liable were not immediately returned.
The substantial sum awarded reflects the severity of the oversight by the companies involved and the tragic loss of life. This case has highlighted significant concerns regarding the safety measures in thrill-seeking aerial tours, prompting calls for tighter regulations to prevent future tragedies. The impact on the families and the community continues to resonate, with this legal closure bringing some measure of accountability, though the loss remains irreparable.