A helicopter crash-landed on the roof of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper Monday, killing the pilot and briefly unnerving the city, the AP reports. The crash happened at around 2pm in a steady rain and clouds that obscured the roof of the 750-foot AXA Equitable building. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who spoke to reporters at the scene about 20 minutes after the crash, said the impact shook the building and caused a fire that was quickly brought under control. There were no other reports of injuries. The crash, close to both Rockefeller Center and Times Square, sent rescue vehicles swarming to the building and immediately evoked memories of the Sept. 11 attacks, though officials said there were no indications it was related to terrorism.
"If you're a New Yorker, you have a level of PTSD, right, from 9/11. And 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," Cuomo said. The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate. It was not immediately known what type of helicopter was involved. It was flying in airspace that is supposed to be off-limits, the AP reports. A flight restriction in effect since President Trump took office bans aircraft from flying below 3,000 feet within a 1-mile radius of Trump Tower, which is just a few blocks from the crash site. New York officials said the pilot was believed to be the only one aboard. Videos posted by onlookers showed emergency vehicles in the street, but no obvious damage to the skyscraper.
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