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 FlyNYON helicopter made the emergency landing around 8:55 a.m. at the Port Jersey Port Authority Marine Terminal, just outside the container terminal, according to the Port Authority.
According to air traffic control scanner traffic, the pilot issued a mayday call after reporting a low RPM engine indication. The pilot then reported the engine was out and later told air traffic control that those aboard were OK.
Bayonne police said there were no reported injuries or fire. The helicopter’s main cabin appears intact, but its tail section is broken. The tail rotor was sheared off and came to rest nearby, with debris scattered around the aircraft.
Port Authority police and first responders responded to the scene. The Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board were notified, according to the Port Authority.
It is believed two people were aboard.
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.
The Bell 206-L4 is the same model of helicopter involved in last year’s deadly Jersey City crash, although the two incidents involved different aircraft.
