A sightseeing helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing just outside New York City on Tuesday morning after the pilot frantically reported an engine failure.
Two people were aboard the Bell 206, operated by FlyNYON, when it took off from Kearny, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed. It was headed towards Brooklyn on a maintenance flight when the pilot reported a possible engine issue.
The helicopter made the emergency landing around 9 a.m. at the Port Jersey Port Authority Marine Terminal, Port Authority told The Post.
There were no reported injuries or fire, authorities said.
The chopper’s main cabin appeared intact, but shocking photos from the scene showed the tail rotor was sheared off and hanging from a fence nearby.
Multiple pieces of white debris could be seen on the floor around the aircraft.
In terrifying audio of the helicopter’s mayday call, the pilot can be heard telling air traffic control that an engine is “out,” calling “mayday” and arranging an immediate landing spot.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot calls out in audio obtained by FOX 5 New York. “We need to land outside of the airport.”
The pilot also reported that the chopper is “so far stable.”
The FAA is coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident.
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