Tour Helicopter Crash Kills 6, Prompts NYC Operator Shutdown

Last updated on April 15th, 2025 at 06:06 am

A helicopter tour company has shut down its operations after one of its aircraft crashed into the Hudson River last week, killing all six people on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced that New York Helicopter Tours is closing immediately. The FAA is now reviewing the company’s license and safety record. The agency also said it will continue working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate what caused the crash.

The accident happened on Thursday, April 10, near Jersey City, New Jersey. The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger, came apart in the air and fell upside down into the water.

All six people on board died, including the pilot — a Navy SEAL veteran — and a Spanish family of five. The family included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children.

Divers recovered the wreckage from the river. So far, the NTSB said the helicopter did not have a flight recorder. Investigators are still looking for key parts like the main rotor and tail rotor.

The helicopter had passed a major safety check on March 1 and had already completed seven tour flights that day. The crash happened during the eighth flight.

The NTSB is now examining parts of the helicopter, including the cockpit, tail, and cabin, which will be sent to Washington, D.C., for further testing.

The FAA said it is holding a helicopter safety panel later this month to review crash risks and improve safety measures.

Agencies assisting with the investigation include the FAA, Bell Helicopter, and Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer.

This tragic crash has shocked many and raised new concerns about helicopter tour safety in the city.