The fatal collision between a recreational airplane and atourist helicopter over the Hudson River should not affect ratesfor such planes, but could possibly impact helicopter coverage,according to two insurance brokers.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, a single engine Piper PA32 flying fromTeterboro Airport in New Jersey collided with a helicopter carryingfive Italian tourists over the Hudson River between Manhattan andHoboken, N.J. Nine people died.

Andrew H. Anderson, executive vice president of AndersonInsurance Agency in Manahawkin, N.J., said personal, fixed wingaviation insurance is akin to other personal lines insurance whererates are based upon the individual's loss history and not where apilot flies.

"There will not be a broad effect on underwriting," said Mr.Anderson, noting that this year "there were a lot of fatalities forgeneral aviation."

"It's an unfortunate claim and tragedy that will just have to besettled," observed Fred Coste, president of the Coste Agency Inc.in Holbrook, N.Y.

He said that rates have been very stable and outside of pilotswho have an increased frequency of claims, recreational pilotsshould not have a problem obtaining insurance.

Where there may be an impact is in helicopter coverage as thenumber of accidents have increased in the past 10 years, said Mr.Anderson. He said one reason for the increase in frequency may bebecause helicopters are in more use than ever before.

From an underwriting standpoint, he noted, carriers may becomestricter, paying greater attention to a pilot's background and whatthe helicopter is used for.

Some of the major underwriters of this coverage are U.S.Aviation Underwriters (more commonly known as USAIG), a consortiumof insurers including American International Group, PhoenixInsurance, Arch, U.S. Specialty, W. Brown and XL Specialty, saidMr. Coste, adding there are a number of other carriers available,all in the standard market.

In addition to handling aviation insurance, both producers arepilots (Mr. Anderson with 18 years flying experience and Mr. Costeflying since 1969) and have flown the Hudson River corridorbefore.

Mr. Anderson suggested that one reaction to the accident byinsurers may be that underwriters will ask more questions aboutwhere they fly. He said this will be especially true if federalregulators do not make changes to make flying the river corridorsafer.

The corridor runs at an altitude below 1,100 feet, extendingfrom the Verrazano Bridge to the Tappan Zee Bridge. It alsorequires pilots to be in constant contact with one another by radioand stay in sight of one another since there is no radar control atthat altitude.

For insurers, the most important underwriting factors aretraining and flight experience, noted Mr. Coste. Pilots who takeclasses in addition to recurrent training classes required by theFederal Aviation Administration are considered better risks becausethey show a higher concern for safety, he said. Also, the morehours a pilot flies, the more experienced pilot he or she is, andthat is also considered a positive risk factor.