Helicopter makes emergency landing on New Jersey Port road after engine failure

Two people escape unharmed after a helicopter carrying out a test flight is forced to land near a port terminal in Bayonne.

A helicopter made an emergency landing on a road near a port terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey after suffering an engine failure during a test flight with both people on board escaping without injuries.

The incident occurred after the aircraft took off from Kearny Airport following maintenance work. According to flight data only the pilot and one crew member were aboard the helicopter during the test flight.

Air traffic control records indicate that the pilot reported a sudden and significant drop in rotor speed before declaring an emergency using a “Mayday” call.

Unable to reach a nearby airport safely, the pilot requested permission to land close to the port.

The helicopter was subsequently brought down on an internal road near the port terminal. Although the landing was successful in keeping the aircraft away from nearby structures, the impact caused its tail section to separate from the main body scattering debris across the road.

Despite the damage, the helicopter’s central cabin remained intact allowing both occupants to escape safely.

Port authorities and local police confirmed that no one was injured and no fire broke out following the incident.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation to determine what caused the engine failure and the separation of the helicopter’s tail section during the emergency landing.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the test flight as they work to establish the cause of the incident.