Without doubt, Coulson’s most famous helicopter is S/N 61428. In 1977, while operating as New York Airways’ N619PA, the S-61L was involved in one of New York City’s most highly publicized accidents, the deadly rollover of the helicopter high atop a landmark skyscraper.
From its opening in 1963, the Pan Am Building (today the MetLife Building) operated a helipad on the roof that gave visitors easy access to Midtown Manhattan. New York Airways used the heliport as a terminal for its service to the three major area airports. On May 16, 1977, N619PA was loading passengers for a shuttle flight bound for JFK International Airport when the right landing gear suddenly collapsed due to what was later diagnosed as metal fatigue. The helicopter–its rotor still turning–rolled over on its right side. Of the dozen or so passengers waiting to board, three were killed outright by the blades, while a fourth later succumbed to his injuries. As the blades struck the concrete roof, they shattered, sending a shower of debris to the ground nearly 70 stories below, killing a woman on the sidewalk and seriously injuring another pedestrian.
