Tourist Helicopter Crashes into NYC River, Kills 1 A woman was killed this afternoon after a tourist helicopter on a sightseeing tour sputtered out of control and crashed into the East River shortly after taking off and attempting to land, authorities said.Four people, including the pilot, survived, police said.The passengers -- all tourists from England -- were on a sightseeing tour.Two survivors could be seen clinging from the chopper's landing gear as divers swam towards them, while a third was spotted trying to swim to shore.