Details of the Incident

The crash occurred as the helicopter, carrying six passengers, took off from a heliport in lower Manhattan. It lost control near Pier A Park in Hoboken, NJ, shortly after takeoff.

Witnesses described horrifying scenes of the helicopter’s rotor system appearing to fall apart midair, leading to catastrophic consequences. One bystander explained, “The propeller just exploded and scattered… we saw the plane just spiraling down.”

The helicopter operated by New York Helicopters went airborne around 2:59 p.m. and crashed shortly after 3:08 p.m. Investigators are focusing on the minutes leading up to the crash to establish its cause.

Victims of the Crash

The victims have been identified as:

• Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive.
• Mercè Camprubí Montal, Agustin’s wife, who managed global commercialization for Siemens Energy.
• Mercedes Escobar Camprubí, their 8-year-old daughter.
• Seanqese Johnson, the pilot, who was 36 years old.

Mercè was celebrating her daughter’s birthday, as she would have turned 9 just the following day.

Photos from before takeoff captured the family joyfully boarding the helicopter, unaware of the tragedy that awaited them.

Reactions and Memorials

Family members are mourning the loss as they prepare to hold a press conference. Joan Camprubí, Mercè’s brother, is expected to speak publicly about the tragedy alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Spain’s Consul General Marta de Blas Mayordomo.

The family plans to visit the crash site later today to commemorate their loved ones by placing flowers in the water near Jersey City.

Investigation Update

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are involved in the ongoing investigation. Current efforts are centered on collecting physical evidence from the crash site, including rotor components that were recovered, with the search for the main rotor and tail rotor still underway.

Authorities stated that while the primary cause of the crash is not yet determined, they are keen on gathering any information from witnesses who may have observed anything unusual during the flight.

Understanding the Hudson River’s Depth

Interestingly, the Hudson River at the crash location is relatively shallow, reaching only about five feet deep, characterized by rocky conditions. This has implications for the recovery efforts, which have extended 75 feet from the shore.

Precedents and Concerns

Reports indicate that New York Helicopter Charter has a history of incidents, including a crash in 2015 when one of its aircraft malfunctioned shortly after takeoff. This history raises concerns about regulatory oversight and aviation safety for companies operating in high-traffic areas such as New York City.