A tragic helicopter crash in New York City claimed the lives of six people, including a family of five with three young children, when the aircraft suddenly broke apart midair and plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday, April 10, around 3:17 p.m. Witnesses described the horrifying moments leading up to the crash, saying the helicopter appeared to spin out of control just before impact.
Dani Horbiak, one of the witnesses interviewed by ABC News, said she heard sounds resembling gunshots in the sky before noticing pieces of metal falling rapidly from above. Radar tracking showed that the helicopter had been flying near major city landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. It circled north up to the George Washington Bridge before heading back south, remaining in the air for approximately 18 minutes before the crash. Just minutes before the tragedy, the pilot had radioed the base, reporting he needed to land and refuel.
Michael Roth, the owner of New York Helicopter—the company operating the flight—told The Telegraph that the pilot’s communication seemed routine at first. He stated, “He called in that he was landing and needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he still hadn’t shown up.” Another pilot, who noticed the crash from above, alerted Roth to the grim situation as the aircraft was seen falling into the Hudson River. The victims were Spanish tourists: Agustín Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children.
The pilot, a 36-year-old man employed by the helicopter company, also perished in the crash. Earlier that day, the family had taken cheerful photos in and around the helicopter, smiling and enjoying what was meant to be a thrilling sightseeing tour of New York City. Those photos, now heart-wrenching in hindsight, were taken just moments before the ill-fated flight began. Following the accident, emergency crews from New York and New Jersey responded quickly to the crash site. Rescue divers were deployed, and all six bodies were recovered from the water.
However, not all parts of the helicopter were immediately found. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop confirmed in a statement that recovery operations were halted for the night and would resume the following morning. “Major parts of the aircraft have not been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning,” he said. Michael Roth, clearly shaken, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and the loss of life, especially the children. “We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife hasn’t stopped crying,” he said through tears. “The death of a child, or of any human being, is a monumental disaster.” The crash sent shockwaves through both the aviation community and the public. President Donald Trump extended his condolences to the victims’ families and stated that a full investigation was underway to determine what caused the tragic failure midair. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are both actively involved in the investigation. They will analyze flight data, the pilot’s last radio transmissions, mechanical logs, and the condition of the recovered wreckage to determine if there was a structural failure or mechanical error. While no official cause has been confirmed, investigators are considering several possibilities, including fuel issues, mechanical failure, or possible rotor blade malfunction. This incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with sightseeing flights, even those operated by licensed and experienced pilots. It has also renewed concerns about air traffic safety in densely populated urban areas such as New York City, where helicopters regularly navigate the narrow corridors between skyscrapers. In the wake of the crash, social media was flooded with messages of grief and support from people around the world. Friends, family, and strangers alike shared their sadness over the lives lost and their prayers for the grieving relatives. As investigators continue to piece together the final moments of the flight, one thing is certain: a family’s vacation turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that left a void not only in their loved ones’ lives but in the hearts of everyone who heard the story. Please share this article with your family and friends to remember the victims and raise awareness about the importance of air safety.
