New York City Helicopter Tour Crash Lawyers

Consequential Results in Helicopter Crash Litigation

Robb & Robb has secured some of the most significant recoveries in U.S. aviation litigation history, including multiple landmark outcomes in helicopter crash cases:

• We were proud to represent the family of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in the helicopter crash that killed him and his daughter
• $350 million jury verdict – The largest helicopter crash verdict ever obtained in the United States.
• $116 million jury verdict (New York) – Record wrongful death verdict in a helicopter tour crash.
• $100 million settlement (2024) – Largest publicly reported single wrongful death settlement in U.S. helicopter litigation.
• $100 million pretrial settlement – Largest personal injury settlement in a helicopter crash case.
• $90 million settlement (New York) for helicopter tour crash

These results demonstrate our capacity to confront powerful defendants, simplify complex technical evidence for juries, and secure meaningful accountability for families.

Causes of Helicopter Tour Crashes

Sightseeing helicopter accidents can occur due to a range of interacting factors. Common causes include:

• Mechanical or structural failures. Problems in rotor assemblies, transmissions, engines, or fuel systems can result in a sudden loss of control.
• Fuel system vulnerabilities. Traditional helicopter fuel tanks are prone to rupture upon impact, which can contribute to post-crash fires that often cause more harm than the initial impact.
• Pilot error. Decisions made during takeoff, landing, obstacle avoidance, or in response to weather changes can affect flight safety.
• Weather conditions. Fog, low ceilings, wind shear, and sudden weather shifts, common around New York City, can disorient pilots and reduce visual references.
• Inadequate maintenance. Skipped inspections, improper repairs, and failure to follow service bulletins can create conditions ripe for failure.
• Obstacle collisions. At low altitude, wires, towers, and buildings represent constant hazards that require precise navigation.

These flights operate in environments where even minor issues can quickly escalate into fatal outcomes. Determining how these factors interact in a specific crash requires careful technical analysis.

Who May Be Held Liable in a NYC Helicopter Sightseeing Crash

Liability in a helicopter tour accident can extend to multiple parties:

• Tour operators. Companies that schedule and manage sightseeing flights have a duty to operate safely and comply with safety standards.
• Pilots. If pilot actions, such as improper maneuvering, failure to respond to weather changes, or inadequate risk assessment, contributed to the crash, they may be held responsible.
• Maintenance providers. Repair and maintenance facilities that fail to perform required inspections, address known defects, or document proper servicing may be held liable for any resulting damages.
• Manufacturers and component suppliers. If design flaws or defective parts contributed to the issue, manufacturers and parts suppliers may be liable under product liability law.
• Third parties. In certain circumstances, landowners or utility companies may be held responsible if unmarked obstacles or hazards directly contributed to the crash.

Pinpointing responsibility often requires reconstructing the flight, analyzing maintenance and service records, and evaluating safety procedure and compliance across multiple entities.