A devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, claimed the lives of six people, including three adults and three children. The Bell 206 aircraft, operated by New York Helicopters, had just taken off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport when it suffered catastrophic mechanical failure. Witnesses described seeing debris, including parts of the rotor, falling from the sky moments before the chopper plunged into the river near Pier 40.
Among the victims was Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Siemens Spain, along with his wife and their three young children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The pilot, a 36-year-old experienced aviator, also perished in the crash. Despite the swift response from NYPD and FDNY rescue teams, all six were pronounced dead—four at the scene and two later in the hospital.
Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing that a rotor detachment of this kind was unprecedented in his three decades in the industry. Aviation experts note that the Bell 206 has a generally strong safety record, making this failure particularly concerning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors contributed to the tragedy.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the accident “heartbreaking,” extending condolences to the victims’ families, while Spain’s government offered support to the relatives of Escobar and his family. The crash has reignited discussions about the safety of helicopter tours and private charters over Manhattan’s crowded airspace. Investigators are now racing to piece together the final moments of the flight to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
