Tour helicopter makes hard landing on Bayonne pier after engine goes out
According to air traffic control scanner traffic, the pilot issued a mayday call after reporting a low RPM engine indication.
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A tour helicopter made a hard landing in Bayonne on Tuesday morning after the pilot reported an engine failure during a maintenance flight.
The hard landing happened around 9 a.m. at the former Military Ocean Terminal on property owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, according to Bayonne police.
According to air traffic control scanner traffic, the pilot issued a mayday call after reporting a low RPM engine indication. The pilot then reported that the engine was out and later told air traffic control that those aboard were OK.
Bayonne police said there were no reported injuries and no fire. The helicopter’s main cabin appears intact, but its tail section is broken, with part of it resting on the pavement behind the aircraft. Debris is scattered nearby, and orange cones surround the area.
Police said the Port Authority is handling the incident because it occurred on agency property.
It is believed two people were aboard the helicopter.
FAA aircraft registration information provided for tail number N217MH identifies the aircraft as a 1999 Bell 206-L4 helicopter with a Rolls-Royce 250-C30P turboshaft engine. It is registered to Meridian Helicopters LLC of Broussard, Louisiana.
