Here’s why chopper pilot lived and passengers died
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) interrupted its investigation into the recent helicopter crash in New York City to issue an urgent safety recommendation, after determining the culprit behind five fatalities in the accident.
The five passengers in the aircraft were wearing harnesses; the pilot was not. When the helicopter impacted the East River subsequently rolled inverted on March 11, 2018, the pilot – who was only wearing manufacturer-installed lap and shoulder belts - escaped from the aircraft with minor injuries. The passengers remained inside the helicopter and drowned.