The untimely death of Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven other passengers, has left the public uneasy when it comes to helicopter travel. Just last year, here in New York City, there were two chopper accidents – one of which resulted in the pilot's death.While this form of transportation is gaining popularity with the affluent, and incidents appear to be on the rise, statistically speaking, fatal car crashes are way more common. Nevertheless, helicopter safety is now under the microscope and receiving increased scrutiny.Last June, NYC lawmakers called for a federal bill which would allow only police, fire and news media helicopters to fly over the five boroughs.“A New York Times report found takeoff and landings for helicopters increased 80% in the first five months of 2019,” advises Crain’s New York. “Meanwhile, Uber launched its Copter service in New York in October, prompting a spike in noise complaints from Brooklynites in the flight path between Lower Manhattan, and LaGuardia and JFK airports that are utilized by both Uber and competitor Blade.”Many travelers prefer this form of transportation because they can avoid traffic and get to their destinations much quicker than by way of other available commuting options.But the political backlash continues. Council Mark Levine, who supports the private helicopter ban, thinks that Kobe’s loss should “serve as a reminder of the risks inherent to the helicopters in the city,” notes Crain’s. As Levine stated, “our push to ban these non-essential flights is not just about quality of life for New Yorkers, it’s about safety of those in the air and on the ground.”There have been at least 30 reported helicopter crashes in the New York City area since 1980.# # #To read the full report, click here: https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/deadly-bryant-helicopter-crash-recalls-risks-private-flights-increase
