Transcript: Mayor Adams Appears Live on WCBS's "CBS News New York 6:00 PM"

April 10, 2025

Kristine Johnson: We’ll go now live to Pier 40. Mayor Adams is at the crash scene. And Mayor, I know you just wrapped up a news conference to share what you and your team have been able to confirm. But you know, I'm thinking about this family from Spain who came to your city to take it all in. They said, you know, let's hire this helicopter and see it from the sky to see the skyline that is so famous around the world. I'd like to know your thoughts here this afternoon on this very sad day. 
 

Mayor Eric Adams: I believe you summed it up appropriately. Here you have visitors who were here just to see, you know, a picture and a legendary skyline. And unfortunately, we lost five family members and a pilot to an incident.  
 

We're still investigating. There are many unknowns here. But with our federal, state and city partners, we'll find out exactly what happened. But again, our heart goes out to the family members. And we're going to notify them as soon as they are properly identified. 
 

Johnson: You know, with respect to the lives that were lost today, mayor, I would like to address just the issue and the presence of helicopters here in our city. This is not the first crash that we've seen. I know there are many flights that are taken here on a daily basis.  
 

But you know, helicopter safety, the amount of helicopters that we have here in the city is, I know that back at one point, the companies that give tours did agree to cut helicopter tours here in the city by in half by 2017.  
 

And we have seen some progress in that. But I want to know from your perspective as the man who runs the city, you know, what are your concerns here tonight after seeing another tragedy take place? 
 

Mayor Adams: Well, we take thousands of tourist flights. There are many flights that are here and helicopters are safe. We have witnessed that throughout the years. And it's part of the New York experience. This is a very unfortunate situation.  
 

But we have to always ensure we have the proper safety precautions. And that's what's done. But, you know, it is clearly part of the New York experience. People do come and they want to experience New York City from the sky. That is why it flies over the Hudson River.  
 

We're extremely concerned to make sure that it's not putting residents in danger. And for the few accidents we have witnessed, there's constant improvement. There's some, as you indicated, decrease in the number of flights. But it is very much part of the New York experience. 
 

Johnson: Mayor Adams joining us here on an appropriately… It's rainy and it's overcast days here along the Hudson. Mayor, we appreciate you taking the time to be with us. We know it's been a busy afternoon and an emotional one. Thank you, mayor. 
 

Mayor Adams: Thank you very much. 

###