In last months Editors Log, under the heading, “Unwritten Rules,” we discussed the tragic August 8, 2009, mid-air collision between a Piper PA-32R-300 and Eurocopter AS350 operating as a for-hire tour over the Hudson River off New York City. The Piper had just departed nearby Teterboro Airport while the helicopter had launched a few moments before from the West 30th Street Heliport. The two collided over the Hudson Rivers west bank; all nine aboard both aircraft perished. 288
Did The FAA Get This One Right?
In last months Editors Log, under the heading, "Unwritten Rules," we discussed the tragic August 8, 2009, mid-air collision between a Piper PA-32R-300 and Eurocopter AS350 operating as a for-hire tour over the Hudson River off New York City. The Piper had just departed nearby Teterboro Airport while the helicopter had launched a few moments before from the West 30th Street Heliport. The two collided over the Hudson Rivers west bank; all nine aboard both aircraft perished. The collision engendered just the kind of hysteria to which those who pay attention to the mass medias coverage of general aviation have grown accustomed. Elected officials and average citizens alike marched forth to complain there were no rules concerning such operations, and non-scheduled flights should be (choose one or all) banned, subject to specific training and approvals or under new operating rules, including positive ATC direction.
![ATP Flight School relies heavily on Piper airplanes for its single-engine training. [Credit: ATP Flight School]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ATP-Fleet-1.jpg)
Key Takeaways:
- A fatal August 2009 mid-air collision over the Hudson River, killing all nine aboard a Piper plane and a Eurocopter helicopter, prompted public and official calls for improved airspace regulations.
- In response to the incident, the FAA quickly formed a task force and announced plans to restructure the Hudson River airspace, mandate new pilot operating rules, standardize charts, and develop new training for pilots and controllers.
- These planned enhancements include creating a new entry point for Hudson River airspace from Teterboro.
- Aviation Safety magazine is launching new multimedia content, including a podcast roundtable discussion, to provide further details on these proposed airspace changes.
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