New York City – After completing its investigation of the Corey Lidle plane crash into a Manhattan high rise, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently recommended that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) permanently restrict airspace for small planes around New York City. In light of the NTSB’s failure to include helicopters in their recommendation, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn & Queens), a member of the House of Representatives subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, announced plans today to re-introduce legislation banning helicopters from flying over Manhattan, which have even fewer restrictions than planes on where they can fly.

Weiner’s legislation, to be reintroduced in the House this coming week, would close key loopholes in the homeland security net.  The legislation would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate High Threat Helicopter Flight Areas, which would protected by the following restrictions:

·        Require all helicopter flights to remain over water except for on final approach and takeoff from heliport.

·        Require all passengers and baggage on helicopters to be screened by TSA.

·        Require helicopters to remain in contact with the FAA regarding their flight path, regardless of altitude. 

In 2004, Pakistani and British intelligence agencies discovered that Al Qaeda sought to use helicopters in terror attacks on New York City.  At the time, one captured terrorist told authorities that he had used a helicopter air tour for a reconnaissance mission of potential Big Apple targets.

Following the 2004 news, Rep. Weiner first introduced legislation to restrict airspace around the City and has been fighting to enact tougher regulations for small aircraft ever since.  In addition to pushing legislation over the past three years, Rep. Weiner sent a letter to FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey in April 2005 expressing his concern about the hundreds of free-flying helicopters that circle Manhattan each day.

“Current FAA regulations allow helicopter operators to fly anywhere in the city – under certain altitudes,” wrote Rep. Weiner.  “I believe that this situation presents an unacceptable risk that must be alleviated.”  Weiner insisted that Administrator Blakey “issue an emergency FAA directive to prohibit all nonessential helicopters from operating in airspace over New York City.”

“Treating small airplanes just as seriously as we do jumbo jets is a welcome change, but it’s only half the job,” said Rep. Weiner.  “History, known intelligence reports and common sense show the need for tighter regulations to secure the skies around Manhattan.  It’s not just a matter of safety for pilots and passengers, but also of security for citizens on the ground.”

Weiner’s legislation would make exceptions for police, medical, and other authorized helicopter traffic.