On April 10, 2025, a tragic helicopter crash occurred in New York City’s Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of all six individuals on board. The victims included a Spanish family of five—Agustin Escobar, the president of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11—and the 36-year-old pilot. Wikipedia+3news+3People.com+3Cadena SER+4Wikipedia+4news+4
The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter, took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. The flight path included a pass around the Statue of Liberty and was en route along the New Jersey shoreline when, approximately 16 minutes into the flight, the helicopter experienced an in-flight breakup. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises before observing the helicopter disintegrate mid-air and plunge into the river near Pier 40, close to the Manhattan-Jersey City border. New York Post+3news+3Wikipedia+3New York Post+2Wikipedia+2The US Sun+2
Emergency responders from both New York and New Jersey arrived promptly, retrieving all six victims from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. People.com+1news+1Wikipedia+1The US Sun+1
Preliminary investigations indicate that the helicopter had been experiencing fuel issues prior to the crash. The pilot radioed a request to land due to low fuel but was unable to reach the helipad before the accident occurred. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter lose rotor blades mid-air before falling into the river. New York Post+2news+2Wikipedia+2
The aircraft involved was a 2004 Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, leased by New York Helicopter Charter from Meridian Helicopters. It had an airworthiness certificate valid until 2029. However, New York Helicopters had a history of mechanical failures prior to this incident. Wikipedia
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting thorough investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash. At this time, no definitive conclusions have been reached.
The incident has drawn international attention, with condolences pouring in from leaders worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump described the crash as “terrible” and stated that investigations are underway to determine the cause. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it “an unimaginable tragedy.” newsWikipedia+1news+1
This crash marks the deadliest helicopter accident in the New York City area since 2018, underscoring the need for rigorous safety standards and oversight in helicopter operations.
