One person was killed as a helicopter crashed on the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper before bursting into flames.
The chopper was said to be "flying erratically" before it crash landed on the AXA Equitable Center building on 7th Avenue, which is close to the Empire State Building and Times Square.
It had also been flying within restricted airspace, where aircraft are forbidden from flying below 3,000ft (914 metres) within a one-mile radius of Trump Tower.
The tower is just a few blocks from the site of the crash.
Authorities say the helicopter had taken off from a pad on Manhattan's east side at 1.32pm local time, and had crashed on the skyscraper just 11 minutes later.
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It is not currently clear whether the pilot had been in touch with air traffic control at La Guardia Airport, or with another tower.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was no indication that the crash was an "act of terrorism", and said the person who died was believed to be the pilot.
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He added: "The helicopter is pretty obliterated at this point. It was obviously a very hard hit."
No other injuries were reported.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, and offered reassurances to those who were reminded of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"If you're a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD from 9/11," he said.
"I remember that morning all too well. So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building I think my mind goes where every New Yorker's mind goes." But, he added, there were no suggestions of a terror attack.
Donald Trump, who said he had been briefed, praised the "phenomenal job" carried out by emergency services, and those still at the scene.
In a further statement, the US president described the crash as a "big tragedy" and a "very, very sad event".
He added: "The federal people are working with the city and state people and they'll have a full report very soon."
The skyscraper was evacuated after the crash, with many of those inside describing how the building shook as the helicopter made impact.
Nathan Hutton, who works on the 29th floor, said: "It felt like you were just standing there, and someone takes their hand and just shoves you.
"You felt it through the whole building."
Another witness who was also in the building at the time told ABC News: "You could smell the smoke coming down from the upper floor and it smelled like burning construction material."
He added: "When we got to the first floor… that was when we were told, 'Everybody get out now'."
Meanwhile, an umbrella seller on the street below said he heard a "rumble&quoRead More – Source
One person was killed as a helicopter crashed on the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper before bursting into flames.
The chopper was said to be "flying erratically" before it crash landed on the AXA Equitable Center building on 7th Avenue, which is close to the Empire State Building and Times Square.
It had also been flying within restricted airspace, where aircraft are forbidden from flying below 3,000ft (914 metres) within a one-mile radius of Trump Tower.
The tower is just a few blocks from the site of the crash.
Authorities say the helicopter had taken off from a pad on Manhattan's east side at 1.32pm local time, and had crashed on the skyscraper just 11 minutes later.
Advertisement
It is not currently clear whether the pilot had been in touch with air traffic control at La Guardia Airport, or with another tower.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was no indication that the crash was an "act of terrorism", and said the person who died was believed to be the pilot.
More from New York
He added: "The helicopter is pretty obliterated at this point. It was obviously a very hard hit."
No other injuries were reported.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, and offered reassurances to those who were reminded of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
"If you're a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD from 9/11," he said.
"I remember that morning all too well. So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building I think my mind goes where every New Yorker's mind goes." But, he added, there were no suggestions of a terror attack.
Donald Trump, who said he had been briefed, praised the "phenomenal job" carried out by emergency services, and those still at the scene.
In a further statement, the US president described the crash as a "big tragedy" and a "very, very sad event".
He added: "The federal people are working with the city and state people and they'll have a full report very soon."
The skyscraper was evacuated after the crash, with many of those inside describing how the building shook as the helicopter made impact.
Nathan Hutton, who works on the 29th floor, said: "It felt like you were just standing there, and someone takes their hand and just shoves you.
"You felt it through the whole building."
Another witness who was also in the building at the time told ABC News: "You could smell the smoke coming down from the upper floor and it smelled like burning construction material."
He added: "When we got to the first floor… that was when we were told, 'Everybody get out now'."
Meanwhile, an umbrella seller on the street below said he heard a "rumble&quoRead More – Source
