Helicopter crashes on roof of NYC skyscraper; pilot killed

NEW YORK – A helicopter crashed into a building on Seventh Avenue on Monday, killing the pilot, starting a fire and halting traffic on nearby streets in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the city fire department said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said preliminary information indicated the helicopter made an emergency landing on the building – in the heart of tightly controlled airspace – shortly before 2 p.m. He said he did not know why, but authorities said there was no indication the crash was terrorism-related.

Cuomo said the crash resulted in a fire on the roof that was extinguished by firefighters.

“Most importantly, (there is) no evidence that it was anything other than an aircraft accident,” he said.

The real estate company that used the helicopter confirmed Monday that the pilot was Tim McCormack, of Clinton Corners, New York. American Continental Properties said McCormack had flown for the company for the past five years.

It said in a statement that “our hearts are with his family and friends.” McCormack, a former volunteer fire chief for the East Clinton Fire District, was alone in the helicopter when it crashed.

FAA records said he had been certified in 2004 to fly helicopters and single-engine airplanes. He was certified as a flight instructor last year.

Authorities say the helicopter was being used for executive travel.

The crash onto the roof of the AXA Equitable building occurred on a gray, rainy day close to both Rockefeller Center and Times Square and sent rescue vehicles swarming to the area. The response immediately evoked memories of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“If you’re a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD, right, from 9/11,” Cuomo said. “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.”

The privately owned helicopter had taken off from the 34th Street heliport 11 minutes before the crash, authorities said. Mayor Bill de Blasio said there did not appear to be any injuries to people in the building or on the ground. The helicopter apparently had no passengers aboard, he said.