A tourist helicopter carrying a Spanish family and a pilot crashed into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon, killing all six people onboard, including three children. The crash occurred just minutes after takeoff from Manhattan, prompting a joint investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a tragedy. "Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board," Adams said during a briefing. The victims were identified as Agustin Escobar, an executive at Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, 36, has not yet been publicly named.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Charter, took off from Wall Street Heliport at 2:59 p.m. and followed a standard sightseeing route along the Hudson River. At 3:17 p.m., the aircraft crashed into the river near Pier A Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the helicopter flew north past the George Washington Bridge before turning south, where it ultimately lost control.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were transported to Jersey City Medical Center where they later died, officials said. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop praised first responders and hospital staff, saying they tried as hard as they could.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams says a family of Spanish tourists, including three children, died Thursday in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River that killed six people. pic.twitter.com/07y6jRwQqf — The Associated Press (@AP) April 10, 2025
According to FAA records, the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV involved in the crash was built in 2004 and had a valid airworthiness certificate through 2029. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows the helicopter circled near the Statue of Liberty before climbing to around 1,000 feet and heading north. Witness accounts and 911 calls reported that the aircraft appeared to break apart midair, with rotor blades detaching before it plunged into the river inverted.
"I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and saw pieces fall off, then watched it fall into the river," said Dani Horbiak, a witness. Another eyewitness, Eric Campoverde, said, "The helicopter went down at a 45-degree angle... big splash - it was very scary."
A video from the scene showed the helicopter partially submerged, with its cabin visible above water and rotors missing. The chopper was on its sixth flight of the day, officials confirmed. Weather conditions at the time included light rain, winds up to 15 mph, and gusts approaching 25 mph. Visibility was clear at 10 miles, though a weather system was moving into the region.
The FAA confirmed the aircraft's make and model and stated it is working with the NTSB, which is leading the investigation. "A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City," the FAA said in a statement.
