East River Helicopter Pilot Made 2006 Emergency Landing Here

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into the East River yesterday – resulting in the death of 40-year-old Australian restaurateur Sonia Mara – made an emergency landing at a local park five years ago.

In 2006, pilot Paul Dudley landed in Calvert Vaux Park (Shore Parkway and Bay 46th Street) after the engine of his single engine Cessna airplane gave out over Gravesend Bay.

As part of their investigation into yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash, the NTSB is currently inspecting wreckage at Floyd Bennett Field on Flatbush Avenue in Marine Park.

Two of the helicopter’s other passengers – Mara’s mother and partner Helen Tamaki – are both in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital.

Her stepfather was released from Bellevue after being treated yesterday.

Paul Dudley, who is director of New Jersey’s Linden Airport – as well as the owner of its management company, was treated on the scene.