Four days on, all the developments there have been about the Hudson River helicopter crash

Last week, the biggest news point was the tragic story of a helicopter crash that took place at the Hudson River, in New York. In the days since, more details have emerged.

On Thursday (April 10th) a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. It was carrying six people, all of which have been confirmed to have passed away. Four people were declared dead at the scene, while the remaining two died later after they were transported to nearby hospitals.

The crash happened around 3.17pm Eastern Time. Officials were alerted to the situation, and by 5.15pm, rescue efforts were concluded. It could be seen that the aircraft’s rotor blades and its tail boom detached in the air.

The victims of the flight have been identified as pilot and Navy veteran, Sean Johnson, and Siemens executive Agustín Escobar, alongside his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children. The children were aged 11, five and four. The family were believed to have been on a sightseeing trip in the city.

The pilot of the flight had indicated he needed fuel before the crash happened, though there were no indications he knew a crash was imminent. The owner of the helicopter told The Telegraph: “He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive. We’re all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated.”

Here are all the developments there have been about the Hudson River helicopter crash since it happened, and over the weekend.

via SARAH YENESEL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Aviation experts said there was nothing the pilot could have done

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NBC reported aviation experts said the pilot tragically could not have done anything to help himself or his passengers. “Everything we train for as helicopter pilots is under the assumption that the rotor system is still attached to the aircraft,” Brandt Anderson, a former U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot, told the publication.

“Once that’s separated, there’s no wings, there’s no ability to glide. It’s just falling out of the sky at that point. It’s absolutely horrible.”

An official from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said at a news conference they were still not in a position to speculate over what caused the disaster to happen.

“We don’t rule anything out,” said Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the US’ National Transportation Safety Board. “We take a very detailed and comprehensive view and it’s way too early in the investigation.”

Helicopter crashed in Hudson! The chopper broke off midair and dropped!! pic.twitter.com/KpQGmM8x25

— Avirbhaw(Avi) Rakesh (@AvirbhawRakesh) April 10, 2025

Officials said the helicopter ‘lacked flight recorders’

Over the weekend, it’s been reported the helicopter involved in the fatal crash “lacked flight recorders”. This is according to the US’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The board said no video or camera recorders had been recovered from the helicopter. And, none of the equipment on it had recorded information that would help the investigation.

Investigators noted the helicopter was on its eighth tour of the day, having already completed seven. According to The Guardian, in an update on Saturday, New York divers were still looking for parts of the wreckage. They were said to be continuing to search for parts of the helicopter, including the main rotor, gear box, tail rotor and the tail boom.

The company involved is shutting down

It’s been confirmed the company whose helicopter was involved will shut down immediately, as the investigation continues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement on Twitter, which explained the review further.

FAA Statement⁰⁰New York Helicopter Tours — the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson earlier this week — is shutting down their operations immediately.⁰ ⁰We will continue to support @NTSB’s investigation. Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate…

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) April 14, 2025

“New York Helicopter Tours — the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson earlier this week — is shutting down their operations immediately,” the statement read.  “We will continue to support NTSB’s investigation.

“Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record. Lastly, on the topic of helicopter safety broadly: The FAA is already analysing airplane/helicopter hotspots nationwide, and we will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks, and additional mitigation options. Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public.”

US Senator Chuck Schumer of New York further urged federal authorities to revoke the company’s operating certificate following the crash. “We know there is one thing for sure about New York City’s helicopter tour companies: They have a deadly track record,” he said.

“And it is usually the companies, not the pilots, that are openly manipulating (FAA) rules, cutting corners and could well be putting profits over people. One of the things we can do to honour those lives and try and save others is to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Brother paid tribute to his relatives who were killed

The brother of the woman killed in the crash has spoken out over the weekend to pay tribute to his family members. Joan Camprubi’s sister, Merce Camprubi Montal, died alongside her husband and their three children.

Joan Camprubi said the family “left together” and “without suffering”. He added: “As a family, we want to [remember] and honour their happiness and their smile forever. We will never forget you. And we will keep your smile alive every day of our lives. And that, I think, is the greatest legacy that we can give.”

Witnesses have spoken out about what the helicopter crash looked and sounded like

via Milo Hess/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Witnesses to the crash have spoken out about what they heard from nearby. An eye witness named Max spoke to ABC News. He said: “It sounded like a sonic boom so I look up and literally I saw helicopter splitting in two, with the rotor flying off in the sky it was going so fast and it just went straight into the water.

“Nothing came up afterwards it must have just sunk and that was it. And then I just waited here and like five minutes later we started seeing the police and stuff come. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

New York police department commissioner, Jessica Tisch said the aircraft “lost control and hit the water”. Another witness said they the “chopper blade flew off” as the helicopter crashed. “I don’t know what happened to the tail, but it just straight-up dropped. It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel, and I can’t imagine if it hit it,” Avi Rakesh said to NBC.

The investigation is ongoing.