NYC sightseeing helicopter makes emergency landing after reporting possible engine trouble

A New York City sightseeing helicopter grounded at a New Jersey cargo port on Tuesday, after the pilot alerted air traffic control of potential engine issues. The Bell 206L-4 aircraft, manufactured in 1999, was carrying two passengers when it touched down on a road at the Port Jersey Marine Terminal in Bayonne, about 30 feet from the aircraft, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

No injuries were reported at the scene. The helicopter's operator, FlyNYON, has been contacted for comment. The pilot's desperate "mayday" calls to air traffic control indicate a critical situation, as he requested to land outside the airport. Video footage captures the aftermath, showing the helicopter's tail partially resting on the road.

This incident echoes a similar tragedy from last year, when a Bell 206L-4 sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, claiming the lives of all six individuals on board. The National Transportation Safety Board cited the presence of several geese remains on the wreckage, suggesting a possible collision with birds before the crash.

Recently, the US Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General initiated an audit of sightseeing helicopter regulations, highlighting longstanding safety concerns and questioning the effectiveness of the current regulatory framework. Since 2008, there have been at least 58 helicopter crashes involving tourist helicopters in the US, resulting in 11 fatalities, according to Assistant Inspector General Marshall Jackson.