A fatal helicopter crash occurred when a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and five passengers. The passengers were a family from Spain. They were on a sightseeing tour of New York City. The helicopter broke apart midair before it fell into the river. The crash happened quickly, and there was no time to react. The accident took place during the afternoon, and investigators are now working to figure out what went wrong.
Mechanical Issue Before the Fatal Helicopter Crash
The helicopter had a mechanical issue months before the crash. In September, it had a problem with the transmission. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the issue. The helicopter was built in 2004 and had flown for 12,728 hours before it crashed. After the mechanical issue, the helicopter was repaired. The FAA’s report raised questions about whether the problem was fully fixed.
Investigation into What Happened
An investigation is now underway. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading it. Investigators will examine several factors. They will look at the pilot’s experience and the condition of the helicopter. They will also check the wreckage to see what went wrong. Part of the investigation will focus on the maintenance work done on the helicopter. The company that runs the helicopter tours will also be reviewed. Investigators want to know if the helicopter’s safety issues were addressed properly.
FAA Safety Directives and Problems with the Helicopter
The FAA had issued safety directives for the helicopter model involved in the crash. One directive, issued in December 2022, warned about potential issues with the helicopter’s rotor blades. These blades could fail if not inspected and repaired. The FAA’s second directive, issued in May 2023, addressed problems with the tail rotor shaft. This could cause the helicopter to lose power and control. Investigators will examine whether these safety warnings were followed.
Footage of the Helicopter Falling
Video footage of the crash shows the helicopter breaking apart in midair. One of the rotors was still spinning as the helicopter fell into the river. The footage is chilling. It shows parts of the helicopter falling in different directions. The video gives a glimpse of the terrifying moment the helicopter broke apart. The investigation will use this footage to understand what happened in the moments before the crash.
Family on Board the Helicopter
The passengers on the helicopter were a family visiting from Barcelona, Spain. The father, Agustin Escober, worked at Siemens. His wife, Mercè Camprubà Montal, and their three children were also on board. The children were 10-year-old Augustin, 8-year-old Mercedes, and 4-year-old Victor. The family had come to New York City for a vacation. They were taking a tour of the city when the accident happened. The pilot, Sean Johnson, was 36 years old. He was a Navy SEAL veteran who had recently started his career as a helicopter pilot. This tragic event has deeply affected the family and the entire community.
Previous Accidents Involving the Same Company
This isn’t the first time a helicopter from the same company has crashed into the Hudson River. In 2013, another helicopter from the company had to make an emergency landing in the river. The crash in 2013 was different, though. The pilot and passengers survived that accident. The company, New York Helicopter, said at the time that it had no idea why the helicopter malfunctioned. Now, 12 years later, the company still doesn’t know what caused the recent crash.
Fatal Helicopter Crash: CEO’s Reaction to the Tragedy
Michael Roth is the CEO of New York Helicopter. He said he was devastated by the crash. Roth explained that the helicopter was inspected regularly. However, he admitted that the company didn’t know what caused the crash. After watching a video of the helicopter falling, Roth said the main rotor blades were missing. He guessed that a bird strike or a failure of the rotor blades could have caused the crash. Roth has been in the helicopter business for 30 years. This accident was something he had never seen before.
Helicopter Certified for Flight Until 2029
The helicopter that crashed had an airworthiness certificate. This certificate was issued in 2016. It was valid until 2029. This means the helicopter was approved for flight for many more years. Despite this, the crash shows that even certified helicopters can have serious problems. The investigation will focus on whether the maintenance and repairs were done correctly.
