Helicopter crash joins lethal historical past in NYC sightseeing flights
The helicopter tourism trade sends about 30,000 flights over New York Metropolis annually. Not everyone seems to be a fan of their low altitude and loud noise.
Federal authorities have begun their investigation into the lethal crash of a sightseeing helicopter into the Hudson River in New York Metropolis on April 10.
The chopper plunged into the Hudson River close to Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey, at about 3:15 p.m. on April 10, killing all six folks on board. Video of the crash exhibits the helicopter careening into the water adopted moments later by a indifferent rotor blade. The Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned it could carefully study the wreckage to seek out out what went incorrect.
The victims included the pilot and a household of 5 with three youngsters who had been visiting from Spain.
“Our prayers are with the entire relations concerned, and no phrases can fill the void, the loss. We all know that. However we are able to cooperate and collaborate collectively to make sure that this household and the households concerned and family members obtain help from town,” New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams mentioned in an April 12 information convention.
This is what we all know in regards to the crash:
The Bell 206 helicopter took off from a heliport in downtown Manhattan the afternoon of April 10 for an aerial tour of town, mentioned Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB. It was operated by New York Helicopter Constitution Inc. and was owned by Meridian Helicopters LLC, based mostly in Louisiana.
It flew north over the Hudson, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned. It turned south when it reached the George Washington Bridge. It crashed at about 3:15 p.m. and landed the other way up within the water close to Decrease Manhattan, simply off Jersey Metropolis.
Officers have not decided the reason for the crash, however aviation specialists mentioned video of the crash seems to point a catastrophic failure of the helicopter’s rotor, which was seen indifferent.
Among the many six killed within the April 10 crash had been pilot Seankese Johnson, 36, and a household of 5 visiting from Spain, together with 49-year-old Agustin Escobar, an government at tech firm Siemens, his spouse Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three youngsters, ages 4, 8 and 10.
Joan Camprubí Montal, the brother of Mercè Camprubí Montal, mentioned at a information convention alongside Adams on April 12 that the household was grateful for the help and condolences acquired, calling the Escobar-Camprubí household “a extremely beloved household.” He mentioned he needs to convey their stays again house as quickly as doable.
“They left collectively. They left with out struggling. And so they left with a smile on their faces,” Joan Camprubí Montal mentioned. “And that is necessary for us. As a household we wish to bear in mind and honor their happiness and their smile eternally.”
Adams mentioned the 8-year-old would have turned 9 on April 11. Escobar was on the town on enterprise and the household joined him to increase the journey and have fun, Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steven Fulop additionally mentioned.
Johnson had 788 hours of flight time as a pilot and had a industrial pilot certificates, Homendy mentioned. He was a Navy veteran and had lately moved to New York Metropolis, based on his Fb profile.
Video taken by witnesses exhibits the second the small helicopter plummeted into the river, adopted by a rogue rotor.
Second helicopter crashes in New York Metropolis, killing 6
Six folks, together with 5 members of 1 household, died when the sightseeing helicopter misplaced management over the Hudson River in New York.
The corporate that operated the sightseeing excursions, New York Helicopter Excursions, mentioned in an announcement on its web site that it could cooperate with the investigation.
Learn the assertion:
“New York Helicopter Excursions is profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and lack of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one among our helicopters within the Hudson River. At New York Helicopter Excursions, the security and well-being of our passengers and crew has all the time been the cornerstone of our operations. Our speedy focus is supporting the households and their family members affected by this tragedy, in addition to totally cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations. These companies have requested us to respect the investigative course of by referring all press inquiries to them for any additional remark. Our ideas and prayers are with the households.”
(This story has been up to date so as to add new info.)
Contributing: Christopher Cann and Michael Loria, USA TODAY; Reuters