A Bell 206L-4 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River after breaking apart midair, killing all six aboard including a prominent Spanish family, as investigators uncover concerning maintenance issues predating the catastrophe.
At a Glance
- A Bell 206L-4 helicopter crashed into the Hudson River after breaking apart midair, killing a Spanish family of five and the American pilot
- The helicopter had documented mechanical issues with its transmission assembly months before the fatal crash
- Investigators are focusing on potential mechanical failures, particularly involving the “Jesus nut” that connects the rotors, which remain missing
- The aircraft was subject to two recent FAA safety directives regarding main rotor blades and tail rotor shafts
- Since 1977, at least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City
Fatal Midair Breakup Under Investigation
A sightseeing helicopter tour turned tragic when a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter operated by New York Helicopter broke apart midair and plunged into the Hudson River. The crash claimed six lives, including 36-year-old pilot Seankese Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran, and five Spanish tourists: Agustin Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children. The helicopter took off from Downtown Manhattan Heliport before disaster struck, with witnesses reporting the aircraft’s tail and main rotor detaching midair.
Two passengers were initially pulled alive from the water but later succumbed to their injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a comprehensive investigation, while the FAA has temporarily halted all operations around the crash site. President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez both expressed condolences for the victims. The crash represents the first helicopter accident in New York City since 2019, when a helicopter struck a skyscraper roof, killing the pilot.
Mechanical Failures and Maintenance Concerns
The helicopter involved in the crash had documented mechanical issues prior to the incident. In September, the Bell 206L-4 experienced problems with its transmission assembly, raising questions about whether adequate repairs were performed. The aircraft had accumulated 12,728 flight hours since 2004 and possessed an airworthiness certificate valid through 2029. Despite this certification, investigators are examining whether the helicopter complied with two recent FAA safety directives specifically issued for Bell 206L models.
“Investigators probing the deadly Hudson River helicopter crash will zero in on everything from the possible mechanical failure of the craft’s ‘Jesus nut’ to a potential drone collision or even sabotage, law enforcement sources told The Post on Friday.” this sources says.
The first directive, issued in December 2022, required inspections and potentially replacing main rotor blades due to delamination concerns. The second, from May 2023, mandated testing and possible replacement of tail rotor shafts. With the helicopter’s rotors still missing from the crash site, investigators are particularly focused on the “Jesus nut,” a critical component that connects the rotors to the aircraft’s body. Mechanical failure currently stands as the leading theory for the crash cause.
Industry Safety Record and Company History
This isn’t the first incident for New York Helicopter. The company experienced a similar crash in 2013, though that incident resulted in no fatalities. The latest tragedy adds to a troubling statistic: since 1977, at least 38 people have died in helicopter accidents in New York City. The crash has reignited public discussions about the safety and noise concerns related to helicopter tours operating in Manhattan’s airspace.
“They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened. There’s no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. It’s like a rock falling to the ground. It’s heartbreaking.” Green said.
New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth expressed being “absolutely devastated” by the incident while claiming to have “no clue why” the crash occurred. The investigation will thoroughly examine the company’s maintenance records, operational procedures, and pilot training protocols. While preliminary data showed no drones in the vicinity at the time of the crash, investigators are still considering all possibilities, including potential drone interference, though mechanical failure remains the most likely scenario based on eyewitness accounts.
Victims Remembered
The crash claimed the lives of a prominent Spanish family. Agustin Escobar served as CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. His wife Mercè Camprubí Montal and their three children Agustín, Mercè, and Víctor were also killed. The family had connections to Barcelona Football Club and were well-known in their community. A spokesperson for Siemens expressed the company’s grief over the tragedy.
“Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy.” sources say.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the news “devastating” and offered condolences to the family’s loved ones. Salvador Illa, a Spanish politician, noted that “they are a well-known family” in Spain. The pilot, Seankese Johnson, was remembered as a skilled U.S. Navy veteran. The NTSB is expected to issue preliminary findings in the coming weeks, though a complete investigation into such complex aviation disasters typically takes months to complete.
