MSNBC was first with the news of a New York City helicopter crash at 2:49:45pm. After about a minute, the cable net started simulcasting WNBC's live coverage.

CNN reported the news at 2:51pm. FNC followed at 2:53pm. CNBC had it at 2:54pm.

FNC had the best immediate pictures, thanks to WCBS. CNN relied on skycams for several minutes.