Last week, New York saw another plane crash in its Hudson River. But unlike the famous and miraculous United landing that saw no casualties, the August 8th crash between a tourist helicopter and small private plane saw the death of nine people.

The tour helicopter - a Eurocopter AS 350 operated by Liberty Tours - and a Piper PA-32 plane - which took off from New Jersey - collided a little after noon on a clear-day in what witnesses describe as an impact that dismembered the plane’s wings and led to the helicopter “dropp[ing] like a rock.”

Photo Credit: Robert Mecea/AP Photo.

Five Italian tourists and a the pilot were on the helicopter and three on the plane.

Since the crash video has emerge that show the collision. The video is shocking because the crash takes places on a clear day and it seems almost outstanding that the pilot did not see helicopter.

An investigation reveals how the crash most likely took place and why it was tragically avoidable. What transpired was unfortunate disconnection between air traffic and the pilot that left the plane without guidance.

The plane off from New Jersey’s Teterboro Airport and as it flew into New York’s airspace, Teterboro air traffic instructed the pilot the to switch to Newark Liberty International Airport air traffic. The command came just 54 second before crash. While the pilot was switching to Newark, Teterboro’s air traffic controller “initiated a nonbusiness-related phone call.”

In the 54 second, Teterboro air traffic was not available to warn the pilot - a supervisor supposed to be present also was not available - and the pilot was most likely distracted tuning his radio to Newark and not looking at the window. In such areas around New York skyline, “see and avoid” is the rule but the pilot’s effort to contact Newark prevented him from seeing the helicopter. The Teterboro was supposed to stay in contact with him and be his eyes - so to speak - until Newark took over but because of his phone call was not in a position to aid the pilot.

The report was filed by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Federal Aviator Administration has since suspended the air traffic controller and his supervisor.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the air traffic controller union, came to the defense of its member stating that if the pilot was following orders and changed frequency then it would have been impossible for Teterboro to contact the pilot.

The N.T.S.B. is still conducting its investigation.