The air carrier certificate of New York Helicopter Charter was suspended by an emergency order issued by the FAA on Monday, prompted by New York Helicopter Charter CEO Michael Roth firing director of operations Jason Costello on April 13. This was shortly after Costello spoke with the FAA and agreed to suspend operations until the NTSB investigation into the April 10 accident was complete. One of the operator’s Bell 206 L-4 LongRanger helicopters crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10, killing all six people aboard.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau announced the order on X on Monday, saying, “The FAA is taking this action in part because after the company’s director of operations voluntarily shut down flights, he was fired.” Monday’s order cites “an unacceptable risk to safety in air commerce” and took effect immediately.