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Helicopter in the air 11 minutes before NY crash

Published:Tuesday | June 11, 2019 | 12:00 AM
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The Associated Press
The Associated Press
New York police officers monitor the streets near 51st Street and 7th Avenue yesterday in New York where a helicopter was reported to have crash landed on top of a building in midtown Manhattan.
The Associated Press
In this photo taken from video, first responders arrive near the scene where a helicopter was reported to have crash landed on top of a building in midtown Manhattan, New York, yesterday.
The Associated Press
New York Gov Andrew Cuomo (centre) and first responder personnel walk near the scene where a helicopter was reported to have crash landed on top of a building in midtown Manhattan New York, yesterday.
The Associated Press
Mist and smoke cover the top of a building near 51st Street and 7th Avenue Monday, June 10, 2019, in New York, where a helicopter was reported to have crash landed on top of the roof of a building in midtown Manhattan. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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NEW YORK (AP):

Authorities in the United States say the helicopter that struck a New York City skyscraper took off from a Manhattan helipad yesterday and was in the air for about 11 minutes before it crashed.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill said yesterday that the privately owned aircraft took off from a pad on the East River.

He says it may have been headed to its home airport in Linden, New Jersey. The helicopter struck the 750-foot-tall AXA Equitable building just before 1:45 p.m.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said it was not clear why the helicopter went down.

The helicopter was flying in rain and heavy clouds. From the river, it veered into Manhattan airspace that is supposed to be off limits for security reasons.

The pilot was killed. Officials didn’t immediately release his name.

O’Neill said the aircraft was used for executive travel.