---
title: "Video Emerges Of Helicopter Crashing Into New York’s East River (Updated)"
description: "A Eurocopter AS350 ditched in the frigid waters off East 96th Street this evening, and it was all caught on video."
date: "2018-03-11"
modified: "2018-03-11"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway"
url: "https://www.twz.com/19150/video-emerges-of-helicopter-crashing-into-new-yorks-east-river"
categories:
  - "Air"
  - "Americas"
  - "Around The Globe"
  - "Civil Aviation"
  - "Helicopters"
  - "News & Features"
  - "U.S. Homeland"
tags:
  - "AS350"
  - "ditching"
  - "East River"
  - "Eurocopter"
  - "Helicopter Crash"
  - "manhattan"
  - "Mishap"
  - "water landing"
---

# Video Emerges Of Helicopter Crashing Into New York’s East River (Updated)

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-twz/content/2018/03/kadha9212.jpg>)
*www.twz.com*

A Eurocopter AS350 crashed into the East River today at around 7pm local time. The emergency response operation is ongoing, but apparently the helicopter lost power and the pilot decided to ditch in the frigid waters off East 96th Street on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The helicopter supposedly rolled over after landing and emergency divers raced to the scene where they plucked the pilot out of the water.

Here is video of the incident taken by a bystander (it's [also linked here](<https://twitter.com/JJmagers/status/972974463175286784>) just in case it doesn't show up in your browser):

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972974463175286784

The pilot is said to be in ok condition with some sources stating that they were the [only one onboard](<https://abcnews.go.com/US/helicopter-crashes-east-river-york-city/story?id=53673315>) at the time of crash, although other reports state that up to five passengers are trapped inside the wreck. We will have to wait for further clarification as to how many people were actually involved.

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972984316216205312

It's worth noting that New York City has [been working to decrease](<https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/01/nyregion/deal-restricts-tourist-helicopter-flights-over-new-york.html>) helicopter traffic around the city and no private or commercial helicopters are [allowed to land](<https://www.twz.com/6561/the-mysterious-c-130-circling-manhattan-on-tuesday-was-not-doing-standard-training>) in the city itself aside from [at designated heliports](<https://www.twz.com/17675/watch-this-mh-60s-shear-off-its-tailwheel-while-taxiing-at-nycs-wall-street-heliport>) arrayed around its periphery, some of which are [restricted during the weekend.](<https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/nyregion/bloomberg-violates-weekend-helicopter-ban-and-will-stop.html>)

We will update this post with more information as it comes available.

***UPDATE: 5:45pm PST-***

I'm sad to report that others were onboard, some of which have died. AP reports that one person has been rescued, and two have died. Rescue divers and search and rescue boats and helicopters continue to work the scene.

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972995967044784128

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972996507115847680

***UPDATE: 6:05pm PST—***

The helicopter involved was N350LH and here is the [audio of the mayday call](<https://clyp.it/wobx3yfk>).

![message-editor%2F1520816926119-fullsizerender.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1520816926119-fullsizerender.jpg>)
*N350LH's flightpath., *Flightradar24**

A huge thanks to my old friend and helicopter pilot [@thenewarea51](<https://twitter.com/thenewarea51>) for finding this audio. Make sure to follow him on twitter as he often lends a hand behind the scenes here with some of my biggest posts.

We also have new video of the ditching:

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972985891043102720

https://twitter.com/\_/status/972979899324608512

Here is the helicopter:

![message-editor%2F1520818375407-private\_n350lh\_eurocopter\_as350b2\_15834062174.jpg](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1520818375407-private_n350lh_eurocopter_as350b2_15834062174.jpg>)
*, *Anna Zvereva/wikicommons**

***UPDATE: 8:40pm PST—***

At least [two people are dead](<https://www.nbcnewyork.com.convey.pro/l/9nXpXwK>) and three are injured from the crash. Passengers were trapped inside the helicopter as it rolled over and submerged after striking the water. Three of the survivors are in critical condition and being treated at local hospitals. Divers are still working around the helicopter, supposedly six were on board in total.

*Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)