Fifty years ago, a helicopter company called New York Airways whisked passengers from the rooftop of the iconic Pan Am Building in midtown Manhattan to any city airport in just 10 minutes. <br /><br />The era of rooftop helicopter travel ended on May 16, 1977, however, when an idling Sikorsky S-61’s landing strut gave way and the aircraft tipped over. Four passengers waiting in line were killed by the rotor blades, and a fifth person 800 feet below died when shrapnel fell to Madison Avenue.<br /><br />40 years later, new technology could open a new chapter in short-distance airborne commuting.<br /><br />Video by Raymond Schillinger<br /><br />Camera: Brian Schildhorn<br />Animation / Graphics: Sylvia Yang and Chiachi Lee<br />Sound Design: Andrew Hylnsky<br /><br />News Footage provided by NBCUniversal Archives. All Rights Reserved.
