The helicopter involved in Tuesday morning's hard landing in Bayonne departed from a Kearny heliport that is already the subject of ongoing controversy and litigation.

While helicopter accidents remain relatively uncommon, some aviation analysts say the heliport's location in one of the region's most densely populated areas, combined with its proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport, means any aviation incident carries the potential for serious consequences.

Paul Dudley, aviation analyst and owner of Linden Airport Management Corp., credits the pilot of the NYON Air helicopter with preventing a more serious outcome during Tuesday's emergency landing, but says the incident should serve as a warning about the risks associated with heavy air traffic in the area.

"Had this happened in Jersey City, had this happened a little further west in Bayonne, had it happened in Hoboken, this would have been an entirely different conversation," Dudley said. "It would have been catastrophic."

Several New Jersey municipalities are currently suing NYON Air and HHI Heliport in Kearny in an effort to limit the number of helicopter flights operating from the facility. The lawsuit seeks to prohibit flights before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. from March through October, and before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. during the winter months.

Dudley says his is not centered on any single flight or helicopter operator, but rather the cumulative risk created by a high volume of operations.

"If you do something once a day or you do something 50 times a day, clearly the hazard is much greater as the volume increases," he says.

Tuesday's hard landing is not the first time NYON Air has received public attention.

In 2018, a helicopter operated by the company crashed into the East River, trapping five passengers inside the aircraft. All five died. The company was later sued over allegations that passenger harnesses were difficult to detach during the emergency. NYON Air and two other companies ultimately agreed to a $90 million settlement.

Kane In Your Corner requested comment from both NYON Air and the operator of the Kearny heliport. Neither company had responded as of publication time.