The air carrier certificate of New York Helicopter Charter was suspended by an emergency order issued by the FAA on Monday, prompted by New York Helicopter Charter CEO Michael Roth firing director of operations Jason Costello on April 13. This was shortly after Costello spoke with the FAA and agreed to suspend operations until the NTSB investigation into the April 10 accident was complete. One of the operator’s Bell 206 L-4 LongRanger helicopters crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10, killing all six people aboard.

Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau announced the order on X on Monday, saying, “The FAA is taking this action in part because after the company’s director of operations voluntarily shut down flights, he was fired.” Monday’s order cites “an unacceptable risk to safety in air commerce” and took effect immediately.

The FAA’s order demands immediate surrender of the company’s air carrier certificate. Failure to comply could result in civil penalties of up to $17,062 per day. New York Helicopter Charter has the right to appeal the suspension within 10 days of the order’s issuance.

According to the FAA, the Part 135 operator no longer has a qualified director of operations as required under 14 CFR Part 119.69(a)(1), and the removal of that position followed internal conflict over safety decisions made in the wake of the fatal crash.

“Following the crash,” the FAA wrote, “the director of operations notified the FAA that NY Helicopter would cease operations until the investigations were complete, but the director of operations was intentionally fired 16 minutes after making this safety decision.” The FAA concluded that “the immediate firing of the director of operations raises serious safety concerns because it appears Mr. Roth retaliated against Mr. Costello for making the safety decision to cease operations.”

The Bell 206 L-4 crashed into the Hudson River around 3:15 p.m. on April 10. As previously reported by AIN, the aircraft appeared to lose major components in flight, with video footage showing the helicopter descending without its main rotor system or tail boom. AirNav Radar flight tracking recorded a final descent rate of 3,456 fpm.

Victims of the crash included the pilot, Seankese Johnson, who was a U.S. Navy veteran, and five Spanish tourists: Agustín Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children. The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of helicopter tours in the New York City area.

Registered to Meridian Helicopters of Broussard, Louisiana, the aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter Charter, which also does business as New York Helicopter Tours. The NTSB has recovered critical components of the wreckage, including the main rotor system, transmission, roof beam, and tail rotor system. Those parts are undergoing further examination as the investigation continues.

In the past, the FAA has issued emergency orders to suspend or revoke air carrier certificates, though such actions are relatively rare and typically reserved for situations posing significant safety risks.