Breaking: midair collision over the Hudson

[pookha]

No, you see in the VFR corridor along the Hudson, the planes stay above a certain height and the helo's below, to prevent things like this from happening. The only way for them to be at the same would be for one to be too high or too low.

I haven't studied helicopter regs in any depth, but there's nothing in the VFR rules for planes in class E airspace about minimum altitude (except the bottom of E typically at 1200).

There are recommended altitudes depending on magnetic heading which attempt to avoid difficulties with head-on collisions. But an overtake as this has been reported wouldn't be affected by that.

If it was an overtake, the Piper pilot was certainly at fault, having the more maneuverable craft and approaching from behind.

I'm writing this from JFK, as it happens.

I've read/heard it reported a few times that the sight seeing helo's were supposed to remain below a thousand feet.

the whole thing is so sad.


there are no restrictions for general aviation on that part of the
hudson corridor unlike those applied to the east river corridor.

it is visual flight rules though it is encouraged that pilots aware of the heavy traffic in the area broadcast their position and heading.
why the cessna pilot didnt is unknown.

wall street journal artcicle about the crash

 

[Lindley]

why the cessna pilot didnt is unknown.

Piper.