A devastating incident unfolded Thursday when a sightseeing helicopter carrying five Spanish tourists—three of them children—and its pilot plunged into the Hudson River, resulting in all six occupants being confirmed deceased.
Footage circulating on social media depicted the Bell 206 helicopter’s descent, showing pieces of the aircraft falling through the air before impacting the water near Jersey City, New Jersey. A detached propeller was observed spinning erratically as it entered the river.
The helicopter had departed from downtown Skyport around 3:00 PM, initially heading south before turning north along the Manhattan shoreline toward the George Washington Bridge, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. It subsequently reversed course and tragically lost control near a Hoboken pier.
“NYPD divers retrieved four individuals from the crash site, while FDNY divers recovered two additional victims,” stated Commissioner Tisch. “Immediate lifesaving efforts were initiated on vessels at the scene and the adjacent pier. Sadly, four fatalities were pronounced at the scene, and despite transport to local hospitals, two more succumbed to their injuries.”
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of the event. A restaurant hostess in Hoboken described seeing the helicopter spinning uncontrollably with “a bunch of smoke coming out” before its fatal impact. Another witness reported witnessing the rotor blade “shatter in the sky,” followed by a rapid, uncontrolled spiral downwards. As they stated, “And after it shattered, then we saw the helicopter just spiral… And then it just crashed into the water just like that.”
Aviation expert Justin Green, a former Marine Corps helicopter pilot, analyzing video footage of the crash, concluded that a “catastrophic mechanical failure” likely occurred. He speculated that the main rotors may have struck and broken apart the tail boom, leading to an uncontrolled descent.
“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,” he said.
US President Donald Trump described the event as “terrible,” stating on Truth Social, “Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams echoed this sentiment, calling the crash “heartbreaking and tragic,” confirming that all six victims had been recovered from the water.
Sadly, since 1977, at least 38 people have lost their lives in helicopter accidents within New York City.
- Victims: Six individuals – a pilot and five Spanish tourists (two adults and three children).
- Aircraft: Bell 206 helicopter.
- Location: Hudson River near Hoboken, New Jersey.
- Possible Cause: A catastrophic mechanical failure leading to loss of control.
