A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has unveiled disturbing findings regarding the April 10, 2025, helicopter crash into New York City’s Hudson River that claimed six lives. 

The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, disintegrated midair approximately 17 minutes after departing from Manhattan’s Downtown Heliport. The aircraft broke into three main sections: the fuselage, main rotor system and tail boom.

The victims included Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, their three children aged 4, 8 and 10, all from Barcelona and 36-year-old pilot Sean Johnson, a Navy veteran. The family was celebrating a birthday on the day of the crash.

Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs before the helicopter’s disintegration, and debris was found both in the river and on a rooftop in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Johnson had 780 hours of flying experience and just returned from a 10-day break.

The helicopter lacked onboard flight data or voice recorders. Investigators noted that the pilot was wearing video-capable sunglasses, but these have not been recovered. The aircraft had undergone its last inspection in February 2025 and had flown approximately 50 hours since then.

In response to the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suspended New York Helicopter Tours’ operating certificate, and the company has ceased operations. The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing as they continue to examine the wreckage and gather more information to determine the cause of the in-flight breakup.

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Paige Javor

Article by Paige Javor

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