Helicopter crash into Manhattan building kills pilot, draws NYC into high alert with reaction from mayor and building workers


A helicopter crashed onto the rooftop of a 51-story building in Midtown Manhattan on Monday afternoon and burst into flames, resulting in the death of the pilot, according to reports.

Only one person was aboard the aircraft when it crashed on the roof of 787 Seventh Avenue at 51st Street at 1:43 p.m, city officials said. That person was reported to have been killed.

"There haven't been helicopter landings in Manhattan in decades," New York mayor Bill de Blasio is seen saying in the video.

"[The evacuation] was orderly," said a man who was hurried out of the building after the helicopter struck.