Recovery operations are ongoing after a tragic helicopter crash into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, yesterday, on April 10, which claimed the lives of all six individuals on board. The victims included a family of five from Spain and the pilot.
The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., departed from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. EDT for a sightseeing tour. Approximately 18 minutes into the flight, the helicopter experienced an in-flight breakup, causing it to crash into the Hudson River near Newport, Jersey City. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises and observing the aircraft breaking apart mid-air before descending into the river.
The passengers were identified as Agustín Escobar, a senior executive at Siemens Spain; his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal; and their three children, aged 4, 8, and 10. The family had traveled from Barcelona to New York City. The pilot, Seankese “Sean” Johnson, 36, was a U.S. Navy veteran who had recently moved to New York to pursue his aviation career.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. Recovery teams have retrieved significant portions of the wreckage, including the cockpit, cabin, and parts of the tail. However, the main rotor and tail rotor remain missing. The NTSB is employing side-scanning sonar technology to locate these parts.
Investigators have noted that the helicopter was not equipped with flight data or cockpit voice recorders, complicating efforts to ascertain the sequence of events leading to the accident. The aircraft had completed seven tour flights earlier that day and had undergone its last major inspection on March 1.
In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the immediate cessation of operations by New York Helicopter Charter Inc. It is conducting a comprehensive review of the company’s license and safety record.