Divers searched the Hudson River for key parts of a helicopter that crashed between Manhattan and New Jersey. The helicopter broke apart midair and plunged into the river. Six people were on board. They all died. The victims were a family of five from Spain and the pilot, a U.S. Navy veteran. Divers used sonar to locate the missing pieces. This divers search is ongoing. Investigators are focusing on parts like the main and rear rotors, the main transmission, and the tail structure. They are still looking for these pieces, even a day after the crash.
Investigators begin looking into the crash cause
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said investigators have just started looking at the wreckage. They are also reviewing flight logs and other materials. The investigation is still in the early stages. This divers search for clues can take time. Homendy stressed that it is too soon to speculate on what caused the crash. The NTSB sent 17 people to the scene, including 10 investigators. They are thorough in their work. “Everything is on the table. We don’t rule anything out,” Homendy said.
Helicopter crashed just after leaving Manhattan
The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. The helicopter had just taken off from a heliport in Lower Manhattan. It flew up the west side of Manhattan, turned around near the George Washington Bridge, and was heading south when it suddenly crashed. It plummeted upside down into a shallow part of the river near Jersey City, New Jersey. The crash happened only 15 minutes after takeoff. The divers search efforts began immediately afterward.
Helicopter tours raise safety concerns
The crash is part of a string of recent deadly helicopter incidents in New York City. This has raised concerns about the safety of helicopter tours. Many people are asking if these tours are too risky in the busy city airspace. The debate about whether the tours are safe enough continues to grow louder. Some say the dangers are too high, while others think these tours are still a fun way to see the city. The divers search for answers will likely lead to more discussions about the safety of these flights.
Family’s tragic last moments before flight
The family involved in the crash was from Spain. Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children were on the helicopter. Just before takeoff, they posed for souvenir photos. The photos were later shared on the tour operator’s website. The family was in New York City to celebrate two milestones. Mercedes, their 8-year-old daughter, was about to turn 9. Mercè was also about to celebrate her 40th birthday. Agustin Escobar, 49, was a top executive with Siemens, a German company. He had extended a business trip to the U.S. to spend time with his family. This trip was meant to be a happy occasion.
Pilot’s background and training
The pilot of the helicopter was Seankese Johnson. Johnson was a 36-year-old Navy veteran. He had earned his commercial pilot’s license in 2023. By March of that year, Johnson had logged about 800 hours of flight time. He had been working hard to reach his goals. He shared a photo on Facebook of himself flying a helicopter with Manhattan in the background. In 2023, he had also posted a picture from a firefighting mission. Johnson had a long career in the Navy. He enlisted in 2006 and served until 2018. He was stationed on the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier from 2007 to 2011. Afterward, he worked in special warfare and riverine units until 2018.
Johnson had always wanted to fly helicopters. After leaving the Navy, he focused on his new career in aviation. He thanked his supporters on social media for helping him get to where he was. His story shows how much effort and dedication it takes to become a pilot and underscores the risks divers search to uncover after such tragic incidents.
