Crashed Hudson River Helicopter Had No Flight Recorders: NTSB

The Nationwide Transportation Security Board stated on Saturday that the helicopter concerned in a crash that killed six folks in New York earlier this week was not outfitted with any flight recorders and that the accident occurred in the course of the plane’s eighth flight of the day.

“No onboard video recorders or digicam recorders have been recovered and not one of the helicopter avionics onboard recorded data that could possibly be used for the investigation,” the NTSB stated in an replace.

It added that the helicopter had accomplished seven tour flights on the day of the crash and that its final “main” inspection occurred on March 1.

A Siemens government, his spouse, their three kids, and a pilot have been killed when a tourism helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River close to Manhattan on Thursday.

Agustín Escobar, 49, had been the worldwide CEO of the rail unit for Siemens Mobility. His spouse, Mercè Camprubí Montal, additionally labored for the corporate as the worldwide commercialization supervisor for its vitality division.

“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash during which Agustin Escobar and his household misplaced their lives. Our heartfelt condolences exit to all their family members,” a Siemens spokesperson stated on Friday.

New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams informed a press convention on Thursday evening that 4 folks have been pronounced useless on the scene, and two have been taken to the hospital the place they later died.

The pilot, who has been recognized as US Navy veteran Sean Johnson, was the opposite sufferer.

The Federal Aviation Administration stated the helicopter concerned was a Bell 206, and that the NTSB would lead the investigation.

The NTSB stated on X that it was “launching a go-team” to research the crash.

Movies posted on social media appeared to indicate the helicopter’s rotor disconnected from the remainder of the plane, spinning mid-air because the cabin plunged into the water.

Officers stated that it appeared the helicopter, which was operated by New York Helicopters Tour Firm, had misplaced management.

In an announcement Friday, New York Helicopter Excursions stated it was “profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and lack of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one in all our helicopters within the Hudson River.”

“The protection and well-being of our passengers and crew has at all times been the cornerstone of our operations. Our rapid focus is supporting the households and their family members affected by this tragedy, in addition to absolutely cooperating with the FAA and NTSB investigations,” it continued.

The corporate didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Calls to the helicopter’s registered proprietor, a Louisiana agency, have been unanswered.

The NTSB stated Saturday that the helicopter’s most important fuselage, the ahead portion of the tail increase, the horizontal stabilizer finlets, and the vertical fin had been recovered, however that divers have been persevering with to seek for the primary rotor, most important gear field, tail rotor, and a big part of the tail increase.

A latest spate of airplane crashes has raised consciousness of aviation security.

The Hudson River sees heavy helicopter site visitors between airports and vacationer flights over landmarks such because the Statue of Liberty. Pilots are required to make use of particular corridors.

In 2018, 5 folks died after a helicopter made an emergency touchdown within the East River and flipped the wrong way up, trapping the passengers inside.

The next 12 months a helicopter crash-landed on the roof of a skyscraper, killing the pilot.