Thanks for the explanation.
Hi,
While we don't know what their intent was, nor what they wanted to do, one thing has cleared up in at least my mind as a Pilot.
I went to the maps.google.com for the area, and then compared the crash site with the TAC (Terminal Area Chart) for NYC. Match up the Island (FDR) in the East River with 70th street, and 72nd street, and then compare the location to the TAC.
It appears they busted air space, as it looks to be 7000/SFC (Surface) for that area over the east River near LaGuardia. Unless they were in Contact with LGA Controllers, which is required within 6 miles of the airport below 2000'.
That may or may not account for the turn as maybe they realized they busted, or like others have said above were trying to get over to the Hudson.Who Knows.....
The TAC for NYC is in the Avsim file library, and is a 2004 edition.
The 7000/1100 appears to be for the Hudson river, and extends to about the shoreline for NYC, where SFC Then applies. The East River is clearly SFC at the point where they allegedly tried to make a Turn, and where the Crash occured.
That area of the River acts in many ways like a Shrinking Canyon, not a very smart place to be, and two California Pilots, flight instructor or not, apparently didn't plan their flight very well, regardless of what their intent was, their decision to fly up the East River is a contributing factor in at least my review of what has happened and what we know thus far.
Regards,
Joe