A helicopter, operating a sightseeing tour, crashed into the Hudson River shortly after takeoff, resulting in six fatalities, including a family of five from Spain. Investigations are underway by local authorities and federal agencies to determine the cause of the fatal incident.**
Tragic Helicopter Crash in the Hudson River Claims Six Lives**
Tragic Helicopter Crash in the Hudson River Claims Six Lives**
A New York sightseeing helicopter accident leaves all passengers dead as investigations into the cause begin.**
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has confirmed that a helicopter crash into the Hudson River has resulted in the loss of all six occupants aboard. The tragic event unfolded during a sightseeing flight operated by New York Helicopters.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided details about the flight path, revealing that the helicopter took off from Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at 14:59 local time (19:59 BST). The flight, tracked via Flightradar24, lasted approximately 15 minutes before the aircraft began to experience difficulties. Following an intended route towards the Statue of Liberty, it veered north towards the George Washington Bridge, subsequently circling back south along the Hudson River before tragically plunging into the water near a Hoboken, New Jersey pier at 15:15 local time (20:15 BST). Eyewitness accounts describe the helicopter as being upside-down at the time of impact, with one witness noting that it appeared to disintegrate mid-flight.
All six passengers included one American pilot and a Spanish family comprising two adults and three children. Dive teams were deployed for body recovery, and despite resuscitation efforts, all six individuals were pronounced dead—four at the scene and two later at a hospital. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has yet to release the names of the victims.
The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation, and early assessments indicate the "aircraft lost control" just moments before entering the water. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Bell 206. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations, with the NTSB taking the lead. This incident marks the deadliest helicopter crash in New York City since 2018, when five passengers drowned after another sightseeing helicopter flipped into the East River.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch provided details about the flight path, revealing that the helicopter took off from Downtown Skyport in Manhattan at 14:59 local time (19:59 BST). The flight, tracked via Flightradar24, lasted approximately 15 minutes before the aircraft began to experience difficulties. Following an intended route towards the Statue of Liberty, it veered north towards the George Washington Bridge, subsequently circling back south along the Hudson River before tragically plunging into the water near a Hoboken, New Jersey pier at 15:15 local time (20:15 BST). Eyewitness accounts describe the helicopter as being upside-down at the time of impact, with one witness noting that it appeared to disintegrate mid-flight.
All six passengers included one American pilot and a Spanish family comprising two adults and three children. Dive teams were deployed for body recovery, and despite resuscitation efforts, all six individuals were pronounced dead—four at the scene and two later at a hospital. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has yet to release the names of the victims.
The cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation, and early assessments indicate the "aircraft lost control" just moments before entering the water. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Bell 206. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations, with the NTSB taking the lead. This incident marks the deadliest helicopter crash in New York City since 2018, when five passengers drowned after another sightseeing helicopter flipped into the East River.
