New York Helicopter Accident Lawyers

Were you or a loved one injured in a helicopter crash? You need the support of a top New York trial attorney with extensive experience litigating aviation accident cases. Contact the personal injury law firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf to discuss your legal options with a team that has been representing accident victims for over a century.

Helicopter accidents are rare, but when they occur, they often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Survivors and families are left to navigate complex investigations, legal challenges, and overwhelming losses. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our aviation accident attorneys have spent over a century representing victims of aviation disasters in New York and across the country. With more than $5 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, our firm is recognized as one of the most trusted and respected in handling helicopter accident claims.

Helicopter crashes in New York often occur in highly congested environments, including airspace over Manhattan, busy city heliports, and along the Hudson and East Rivers. These accidents frequently result from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and environmental hazards. At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our attorneys have the resources and expertise to thoroughly investigate aviation disasters and hold all responsible parties accountable. Common causes of helicopter crashes include:

• Pilot Error: Mistakes in judgment, inexperience, or failure to follow flight protocols. For example, in 2018, a pilot lost control during an emergency landing on top of a Manhattan skyscraper, resulting in a fatal crash at 787 Seventh Avenue.
• Mechanical Failure: Engine, rotor, or component malfunctions. In 2009, a sightseeing helicopter collided with a small plane over the Hudson River due to equipment and communication failures, leading to nine fatalities.
• Poor Maintenance: Negligent inspections and repairs, especially by companies operating tourist or charter flights from heliports along the East River.
• Defective Parts: Failures in manufacturing critical helicopter components, contributing to accidents such as the 2005 East River crash where a mechanical failure forced a tour helicopter into the water.
• Weather Conditions: Poor visibility, strong winds, and sudden storms are especially dangerous near tall Manhattan buildings and waterfront areas. In multiple incidents, helicopters attempting to fly in marginal weather encountered catastrophic outcomes.
• Air Traffic Control Negligence: Miscommunication or oversight in New York’s tightly controlled aviation corridors can be deadly, as demonstrated by past midair collisions over the Hudson River that exposed weaknesses in traffic management protocols.

Determining the cause of a helicopter crash in New York demands a detailed investigation of flight data, maintenance records, communication logs, and regulatory compliance. Our attorneys work closely with leading aviation experts to uncover the truth and build the strongest possible cases for our clients.

In helicopter accident litigation, multiple parties may be legally responsible depending on the facts of the case. Potential defendants include:

• Helicopter Operators: For negligent operation or violations of FAA regulations.
• Charter Companies: For failures in safety oversight or crew training.
• Manufacturers: For defects in the design or manufacture of the helicopter or its parts.
• Maintenance Providers: For negligent repairs or inspection failures.
• Air Traffic Controllers: For navigation errors or lapses in communication.

Holding the right parties accountable requires an aggressive and experienced legal team with a deep understanding of aviation law — exactly what Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf provides.

Helicopter crashes are among the most deadly and devastating types of transportation accidents. Studies show that approximately three out of four helicopter crashes result in fatalities. Even in the rare cases where passengers survive, the injuries are often catastrophic and life-changing.

Survivors of helicopter crashes often face:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
• Severe Burns and Smoke Inhalation
• Multiple Fractures and Crush Injuries
• Amputations
• Psychological Trauma, including PTSD
• Wrongful Death

In a complex aviation case like a helicopter crash, it is critical to have a law firm with the experience, skill, and courtroom reputation necessary to win the maximum compensation. Insurance companies know which firms are prepared to go to trial — and which are not. They fear trial lawyers who win — and Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf has been winning for over a century.

Our firm is widely recognized as one of New York’s most respected and feared trial law firms. With over $5 billion in settlements and more than 60 verdicts over $1 million for seriously injured clients and their families, we have been at the forefront of catastrophic injury litigation — including aviation cases — for generations. In fact, Harry A. Gair, one of the firm’s founding partners, was among the first attorneys in the country to litigate aviation accident cases. That pioneering legacy continues to shape our aggressive, trial-ready approach to helicopter crash litigation today.

We prepare every case for trial from day one, and insurance companies know we will not hesitate to take a case to court if a settlement offer is unfair. That reputation is a critical advantage in helicopter crash litigation, where the stakes for victims and their families are enormous.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a helicopter accident, trust a firm that has the proven ability to hold negligent parties fully accountable. Choosing the right trial team can mean the difference between a life-changing recovery and a missed opportunity.

Contact us today at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation. There are no legal fees unless we win.