Second passenger dies in East River helicopter crash

A second passenger has died from last week’s tourist helicopter crash in the East River, according to published reports Wednesday.

Helen Tamaki, 43, died Tuesday night at Bellevue Hospital from injuries she sustained during the crash. Her partner, Sonia Marra, 40, who like Tamaki was visiting from Australia, had been found dead in the underwater wreckage.

Wednesday the NTSB released a preliminary report saying that the helicopter had been in the shop two days before the Oct. 4 accident.

The Bell 206 had been undergoing an annual inspection, during which mechanics disassemble much of the aircraft. The FAA typically warns pilots to watch for mechanical problems after such maintenance.

Follow reporter Tim Herrera on Twitter: @tim_herrera