A New York Metropolis sightseeing helicopter broke aside in midair Thursday and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, killing the pilot and a household of 5 Spanish vacationers within the newest U.S. aviation catastrophe, officers stated.
The flight departed a downtown heliport round 3 p.m. and lasted lower than 18 minutes. Radar information confirmed it flew north alongside the Manhattan skyline after which again south towards the Statue of Liberty alongside the New Jersey shoreline
Video of the crash confirmed elements of the plane tumbling by way of the air into the water close to the shoreline of Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey. In line with officers, the plane got here down off the Newport neighborhood and near the Holland Tunnel air flow tower with its acquainted construction on the sting of the river.
A witness there, Bruce Wall, stated he noticed it “falling aside” in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off. The propeller was nonetheless spinning with out the helicopter because it fell.
A part of the sightseeing helicopter was faraway from the Hudson River, however officers say the recovering of elements and proof is much from over. Here is what we all know to this point in regards to the investigation and the victims killed in Thursday’s helicopter free fall.
Dani Horbiak was at her Jersey Metropolis residence when she heard what seemed like “a number of gunshots in a row, virtually, within the air.” She appeared out her window and noticed the chopper “splash in a number of items into the river.”
Different neighbors described listening to a “thud” and seeing what appeared like one thing hitting the helicopter.
Restoration crews hoisted the mangled helicopter out of the water simply after 8 p.m. utilizing a floating crane.
The our bodies had been additionally recovered from the river, Mayor Eric Adams stated. 4 individuals had been pronounced lifeless on the scene, and two others had been taken to the hospital, the place they “succumbed to their accidents,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch advised reporters.
The victims embrace the pilot, a enterprise government, an grownup relative and three youngsters, officers stated.
The mayor of Jersey Metropolis says restoration operations have ended for the night time.
In a submit on X, Mayor Steven Fulop says “main elements” of the helicopter stay within the Hudson River and dive operations would resume on Friday morning.
“Main elements of the plane haven’t been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning. The pier is being secured by PA. The primary physique of the plane has been recovered and is within the military corps of engineers facility on Chapel Avenue. The JCPD is securing that location,” the mayor posted.
Earlier within the night, a Information 4 crew noticed what seemed to be a seat from the wreckage floating within the river.
The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officers stated. Nobody answered the telephones on the firm’s workplaces in New York and New Jersey.
An individual who answered the cellphone on the residence of the corporate’s proprietor, Michael Roth, stated he declined to remark. Emails searching for remark had been despatched by the AP to attorneys who’ve represented Roth up to now.
An individual who answered the cellphone on the residence of the corporate’s proprietor, Michael Roth, declined to remark. Nevertheless Roth advised the New York Submit he was devastated and had “no clue” why the crash occurred.
“The one factor I do know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the primary rotor blades weren’t on the helicopter,” the Submit quoted him as saying. He added that he had not seen such a factor occur throughout his 30 years within the helicopter enterprise, however famous: “These are machines, they usually break.”
The Federal Aviation Administration recognized the helicopter as a Bell 206, a mannequin broadly utilized in business and authorities aviation, together with by sightseeing corporations, TV information stations and police. It was initially developed for the U.S. Military earlier than being tailored for different makes use of. 1000’s have been manufactured over time.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board stated it will examine and was sending a “go-team,” which was anticipated to reach someday Thursday night time.
The NTSB is launching a go-team to analyze Thursday’s crash of a Bell 206 L-4 helicopter close to Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey.
Chairman Jennifer Homendy will function spokesperson on scene. The crew is anticipated to reach tonight.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) April 10, 2025
Thursday’s crash was the primary for a helicopter within the metropolis since one hit the roof of a skyscraper in 2019, killing the pilot.
Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain, shared a press release on X, the place he known as in the present day’s crash an “unimaginable tragedy.” His submit, translated to English, reads:
“The information reaching us in the present day of the helicopter crash within the Hudson River is devastating. 5 Spaniards from the identical household, three of them youngsters, and the pilot have misplaced their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I sympathize with the victims’ family members at this heartbreaking time.”
President Donald Trump promised extra info quickly on the crash.
“Horrible helicopter crash within the Hudson River. Appears to be like like six individuals, the pilot, two adults, and three youngsters, are not with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the households and pals of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his proficient employees are on it. Bulletins as to precisely what happened, and the way, will probably be made shortly!,” the president posted to Fact Social.
The Coast Guard closed a part of the Hudson River to vessel entry close to the Jersey Metropolis Holland Tunnel air flow tower.
