The helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last month, killing six people including a family of five, broke apart midair before plummeting into the water, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Bell 206L-4 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, departed the Downtown Manhattan/Wall Street Heliport on April 10 and flew a sightseeing route south of the Statue of Liberty. It then proceeded up the east side of the Hudson River, past the George Washington Bridge, before making a U-turn near New Jersey. The aircraft began climbing and reached an altitude of approximately 675 feet before witnesses reported hearing multiple "loud bangs."
According to the NTSB, several onlookers observed the helicopter "suddenly separated into three major sections" and fall rapidly into the river. The main rotor system, tail boom, and fuselage-including the engine-were all found dislodged from each other, with debris scattered underwater, on the surface of the Hudson, and on a nearby Hoboken rooftop.
NTSB: NYC Tour Helicopter Split Midair Before Hudson Crash That Killed Six
Flight data from the Federal Aviation Administration shows the helicopter's final altitude was just 125 feet. The fuselage landed inverted in shallow water near the Holland Tunnel ventilation towers, while other major components were located in roughly 30 feet of water further north.
There were no onboard video or data recorders. Investigators noted the pilot was wearing augmented reality sunglasses with audio and video recording capabilities, but the device was not recovered.
NTSB: NYC Tour Helicopter Split Midair Before Hudson Crash That Killed Six
The pilot, a Navy SEAL veteran, and all five passengers perished in the crash. The victims included Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, according to the Associated Press.
The flight was the pilot's eighth tour of the day, and his first day back on duty after a 10-day break. He had just returned to work when the crash occurred.
Following the tragedy, New York Helicopter Tours announced it was ceasing operations immediately. The cause of the in-flight breakup remains under investigation, and the NTSB is expected to release a final report within the year.
