A sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair on Thursday, April 10, 2025, and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront, killing six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, in the latest high-profile aviation disaster in the U.S., New York City officials reported.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the flight began at a downtown heliport around 3 p.m. and that all deceased had been recovered and removed from the water. The helicopter, a Bell 206, was carrying one American pilot and five passengers—two adults and three children—when it plunged into the river near a ventilation building for the Holland Tunnel, approximately 15 minutes after takeoff.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene as the helicopter began to spin uncontrollably before crashing. Bruce Wall, who was nearby, recounted, "I saw the helicopter falling apart in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off." Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a Hoboken restaurant, added, "There was a bunch of smoke coming out. It was spinning pretty fast, and it landed in the water really hard." Videos posted on social media captured parts of the aircraft splashing into the water as rescue boats circled the submerged wreckage.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the helicopter as a Bell 206, a model widely used for commercial and government aviation, including sightseeing tours, TV news stations, and police departments. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the crash, which is the deadliest helicopter accident in New York City since at least 2018.
According to reports, the helicopter took off from Downtown Skyport at 2:59 p.m. ET, flew towards the Statue of Liberty, and then circled back north toward the George Washington Bridge. After pivoting, it began its descent back down the Hudson River when it lost control and crashed into the water at around 3:15 p.m.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to area hospitals, where they succumbed to their injuries. The victims included Agustín Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of Siemens, along with his wife and their three children. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the helicopter was upside-down when it hit the water.
Emergency response teams faced challenging conditions, with water temperatures at about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The skies were overcast, but visibility over the river was not significantly impaired. Rescue divers from both the New York Police Department and the Fire Department worked swiftly to recover the victims, but the frigid waters complicated their efforts.
This tragic incident has reignited concerns about the safety of tourist helicopter flights in New York City. Over the years, the city has seen multiple helicopter crashes, including a collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter in 2009 that killed nine people and a 2018 crash into the East River that resulted in the drowning of five passengers.
In response to the crash, Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her condolences, stating, "Six innocent souls have lost their lives, and we pray for them and their families." President Trump also offered condolences on social media, saying that the transportation secretary and his staff were investigating the incident.
The helicopter industry contributes approximately $50 million annually to New York City's economy, with tens of thousands of tourist flights taking off each year from various heliports in the area. Despite the economic benefits, there has been growing public concern over noise and safety issues associated with helicopter tours.
The Downtown Skyport, where the helicopter took off, was closed following the crash, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of this tragic accident. As the details continue to unfold, the community is left mourning the loss of six lives and grappling with the implications for the future of helicopter tourism in New York City.
