On Monday afternoon, a helicopter crashed into the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper. The heavy rain and low clouds obscured the roof of the 750-foot (229-meter) AXA Equitable building, which may have led to the accident. Local media identified the pilot as Tim McCormack. McCormack was killed in the crash.
The crash caused a small fire to start in the AXA Equitable building but it was put out quickly. According to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, no one else was reported injured.
“There was a helicopter that made a forced landing, emergency landing, or landed on the roof of the building for one reason or another,” Cuomo told reporters at the scene.
Response to the helicopter’s crash-landing was quick. Rescue vehicles surrounded the building and brought back memories for some onlookers of the September 11 attacks.
“If you’re a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD, right, from 9/11. And I remember that morning all too well. So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building, I think my mind goes where every New Yorker’s mind goes,” said Governor Cuomo.
Officials say there is no indication this was a terror attack and the Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate the crash. New York officials say the pilot who perished in the accident was the only person on board the aircraft.