New York, 12 April - A Bell 206L-4 helicopter operated by New York Helicopters crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10th, claiming the lives of all six individuals on board. The victims included a family of five from Spain—AgustÃn Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11—along with the pilot, 36-year-old Seankese "Sam" Johnson. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) swiftly launched an investigation to determine the cause of this tragic incident, which marked the deadliest helicopter crash in New York City since 2018. The probe, led by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, involves a team of ten investigators who are meticulously examining the wreckage and collecting evidence to uncover what led to the catastrophic failure.
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The helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m., embarking on a sightseeing tour that followed a common route. It circled the Statue of Liberty, proceeded north along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, and then turned south along the New Jersey shoreline. At approximately 3:15 p.m., just 16 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft lost control and plunged upside-down into the river near a pier in Hoboken. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises, described as gunshots or a sonic boom, and observed the helicopter breaking apart midair, with at least one rotor blade detaching before the crash. Video footage captured the aircraft tumbling end over end, striking the water at high speed.
The NTSB’s investigation is comprehensive, with no potential cause ruled out. The wreckage, including the main fuselage, was recovered from the 5-foot-deep waters of the Hudson on the evening of the crash, and dive operations continued the following day to retrieve critical components such as the main rotor, transmission, roof, and tail structure. These parts, along with the engine, are undergoing detailed examination in a secure facility. Maintenance records, which are not publicly accessible, will be scrutinized to assess the helicopter’s condition. The aircraft, leased from Meridian Helicopters in Louisiana, had been in service for 21 years, and while the Bell 206 is considered reliable when properly maintained, the NTSB is investigating whether mechanical issues, human factors, or environmental conditions contributed to the accident.
Preliminary reports indicate the pilot, who had 788 hours of flight experience and was certified for commercial helicopter operations since August 2023, radioed that he was low on fuel and returning to the heliport shortly before the crash. However, he never arrived. Weather conditions at the time included overcast skies, 10-mile visibility, and wind gusts up to 21 miles per hour, which are not typically hazardous for such flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), assisting the NTSB, noted that the helicopter was operating in a Special Flight Rules Area where air traffic control services are not provided, though LaGuardia Airport had offered support minutes earlier. This crash has reignited concerns about the safety of low-altitude sightseeing flights in New York City, where helicopter traffic remains heavy. Since 1977, at least 32 people have died in helicopter accidents in the city, including a 2018 crash in the East River that killed five passengers. The NTSB’s findings, expected to take months, will likely influence future regulations and safety protocols for urban helicopter tours. For now, investigators are focused on piecing together the sequence of events to provide answers to the families of the victims and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.