Michael Campbell tells the New York Post everything was going smoothly yesterday when suddenly he heard "a big boom."
The charter helicopter was carrying a family of four Swedes when it lost power shortly after takeoff. It landed safely on the river. No one was injured.
The 23-year-old pilot said he knew he needed to remain calm. He says, "if I panicked, I knew it wouldn't be a very good ending."
Campbell deployed the craft's pontoons, which it kept it upright and afloat. A boater brought the family back to shore.