New Yorkers have slammed sightseeing flights as a nuisance for years and, although almost all operate smoothly, a few end in tragedy.

A tragic sightseeing tour turned fatal in New York City, raising urgent questions about the safety of helicopter tourism across the U.S.

President Fernando De la Rua resigned and fled the government palace in a helicopter, driven from office by a devastating economic crisis and days of rioting that left 22 people dead and homes and ...