A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City on April 10, killing all six people aboard, including a visiting Spanish family and the pilot.
The Bell 206 LongRanger IV, operated by New York Helicopter, went down at approximately 3:17 p.m. EDT near Newport, Jersey City, close to Pier 40 in New York City.
Among the victims were Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, their three children aged 4, 8, and 10, and pilot Sean Johnson, a former U.S. Navy SEAL with 788 hours of flight time.
“From the footage showing the helicopter’s descent, it was apparent that the main rotor blades were missing from the aircraft. In my 30 years in the helicopter industry, I have never witnessed anything like this,” said CEO Michael Roth in an interview with Fox News.
Weather conditions at the time included winds between 9 to 12 mph with occasional gusts up to 21 mph. Visibility was good despite cloudy conditions and an approaching pressure system.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises before the helicopter broke apart mid-air.
“Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board and all six who were on board of the helicopter,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement addressing the tragedy.
The aircraft, built in 2004, was leased from Meridian Helicopters in Louisiana and had a valid airworthiness certificate until 2029. New York Helicopter released a statement following the incident: “The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations.”
The NTSB continues to examine flight data and piece together wreckage as the investigation progresses. The agency expects to release preliminary findings in the coming weeks.