NYC Helicopter Crash

NYC Helicopter Crash: Six Dead Including Siemens Exec and Family, Investigators Focus on Rotor Failure

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New York, April 12, 2025 | U.S. National News — A devastating helicopter crash in New York City has claimed the lives of six people, including a family of Spanish tourists and the pilot, as investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) work to uncover what caused the aircraft to plunge into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon.

NYC Helicopter Crash

Victims Identified: A Family Trip Turns Tragic

The victims include Agustin Escobar, 49, a senior executive at Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, aged 4, 8, and 10. The family had traveled to New York City to join Escobar during a business trip. Their helicopter tour turned fatal just one day before the 8-year-old’s birthday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed.

Also killed was the pilot, Seankese “Sam” Johnson, 36, a former Navy serviceman with 788 hours of flight experience.

“The man was an amazing pilot. That’s all he wanted to do,” said Matt Klier, a fellow Navy pilot and close friend of Johnson.

Crash Details: Helicopter Went Down Minutes After Takeoff

The tour helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, took off from the Wall Street Heliport and crashed just 15 minutes later, at approximately 2:45 p.m., into a 5-foot-deep section of the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey.

Videos captured by bystanders showed the helicopter falling rapidly, missing its tail rotor and a main rotor blade, raising serious concerns about a possible mechanical failure mid-flight. The aircraft was found upside-down in 50-degree water, complicating early recovery efforts.

NTSB Investigation Underway: Public Asked for Evidence

At a Friday press conference, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said investigators have recovered and begun examining the engine and key components of the wreckage. Divers continue to search for the main rotor, tail assembly, and roof structure, all critical for understanding the crash sequence.

“We ask the public to send us any photos or videos they may have of the incident,” Homendy said.

The NTSB is also analyzing maintenance records, pilot logs, and flight path data, while coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Community and Company Reactions

New York Helicopter Tours said it is “devastated” by the tragedy.

“My staff hasn’t stopped crying,” a spokesperson told ABC News.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop confirmed that city authorities are working with the medical examiner and Spanish officials to repatriate the bodies to Spain.

“Our hearts go out to the victims’ families. This is a heartbreaking moment for our city and for the global community,” Fulop said.

A Tragic Day for Aviation

This incident marks the second aviation tragedy in the U.S. within 24 hours, following a Cessna crash in Florida earlier the same day that killed three people. The twin tragedies have put aviation safety and tour operations under renewed scrutiny.

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Ganpat Singh Chouhan
Ganpat Singh Chouhan
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.