Helicopter crash in New York’s Hudson River leads to company closure and FAA scrutiny
New York Helicopter Tours has shut down operations following a deadly crash near Jersey City. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the incident involving a Siemens executive and his family.
On April 10, 2025, a tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River claimed the lives of six people, including a Siemens executive, his wife, and their three children.
The crash occurred after the helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, plunged into the water near Jersey City, New Jersey. As a result, the company has now ceased its operations, and the FAA has initiated a thorough review of the company’s safety records.
ALSO SEE: Who were the victims in the Hudson River helicopter crash? Siemens CEO and family dead after crash
What happened to the helicopter in the Hudson and its passengers?
The sightseeing flight took off from Manhattan around 3pm on April 10, and flew north along the Hudson River. However, the Bell 206 model helicopter crashed approximately 3:15pm and was seen landing on the water.
Unfortunately, the crash resulted in the dead of six people: the pilot, Seankese Johnson and a Spanish family of five who had just arrived to New York earlier that day. One of the victims was Agustin Escobar, a senior Siemens executive who had extended his business trip to celebrate his daughter's 9th birthday with his family.
FAA and NTSB investigate the helicopter crash in the Hudson River
After the deadly crash, the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigations to find out what was the cause of the incident. While no camera recordings were recovered from the wreckage, parts of the helicopter, such as the cockpit and tail, have been sent to the authorities for inspection.
Initial reports reveal that the helicopter's rotor suffered a catastrophic failure, and the NTSB is reviewing the helicopter's operational records and the pilot’s experience, to compare the information with other helicopters and meet with New York Helicopter Charter Inc. to discuss the company's safety protocols