On the afternoon of Thursday, April 10, at approximately 3:17 p.m., a devastating helicopter crash claimed the lives of six people, including a family of five—two parents and their three young children—when the aircraft broke apart midair and plunged into the Hudson River. Witnesses at the scene described a horrifying sequence of events. According to Dani Horbiak, who spoke to ABC News, she heard noises that “sounded almost like gunshots in the sky” just before she noticed pieces of metal falling from above.
The helicopter, which had been in the air for about 18 minutes, was seen spinning uncontrollably before hitting the water. Radar data tracked the aircraft’s flight path, showing it circled near the Statue of Liberty, flew north along the Manhattan skyline to the George Washington Bridge, and then headed back south before the incident occurred. What began as a routine sightseeing tour turned into an unimaginable tragedy in a matter of moments. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a tour company based in the city. Michael Roth, the owner of the company, confirmed in a statement to The Telegraph that the pilot had radioed shortly before the crash, reporting that he needed to land and refuel.
Roth explained, “He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive.” Alarm was raised only after another pilot flying in the area noticed the downed aircraft in the river and immediately alerted Roth. The passengers on board the helicopter were identified as Spanish tourists: Agustín Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children.
Tragically, the 36-year-old pilot, whose name has not yet been released, also lost his life in the crash. Just hours before the incident, the family had posed for photos in front of and inside the helicopter, smiling and full of excitement for what was supposed to be a joyful and scenic flight over New York City. Those images now serve as haunting reminders of a life tragically cut short. Emergency response teams from both New York and New Jersey were quickly dispatched to the scene. Recovery crews successfully retrieved all six bodies from the water shortly after the crash. However, major sections of the helicopter remained submerged, prompting authorities to suspend the recovery operation overnight. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop issued a statement confirming that NYPD and New Jersey State Police dive teams would resume the search the following morning to recover the remaining wreckage.
The crash has deeply shaken the aviation community and the public alike. Michael Roth, visibly shaken, said, “We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. The death of a child, of any human being, is a monumental disaster.” His emotional response echoes the profound sorrow felt by those close to the victims and by people across the world who have followed this tragic story. Former President Donald Trump shared his condolences and acknowledged the heartbreak caused by the accident. In a public statement, he said the crash was under investigation and promised that answers would follow. Federal agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are leading the investigation. They will examine the helicopter’s maintenance records, pilot’s communication logs, and mechanical components to determine the cause of the crash. Early speculation has centered around a possible mechanical failure or fuel-related issue, particularly given the pilot’s last radio message requesting to land for fuel. However, no official cause has been confirmed at this time. The crash has sparked renewed concern about helicopter tour safety in urban areas, especially in cities like New York, where such flights are common. As investigators work tirelessly to uncover what happened in those final moments, the public continues to mourn the tragic loss of an entire family and their pilot. This heartbreaking event serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and the importance of strict safety protocols in air travel. Please take a moment to share this story with your loved ones to honor the memory of the victims and raise awareness about aviation safety.
