Operator of NYC helicopter crash had prior mechanical failures
A tragic helicopter crash occurred on April 10, 2025, when a Bell 206 LongRanger IV sightseeing helicopter operated by New York Helicopter plunged into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey. All six people aboard—a family of five from Spain and the pilot—lost their lives.
The family, including Siemens executive Agustín Escobar and his wife and three children, were on a sightseeing tour when the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noises before the helicopter disintegrated mid-air. The pilot had radioed to base minutes earlier, indicating he needed to return for fuel.
New York Helicopter, the company involved, has a history of safety concerns. It previously declared bankruptcy in 2019 and has faced lawsuits over unpaid debts. The company has also been involved in previous incidents, including a 2013 emergency landing and a 2015 crash due to a faulty component.
This latest crash raises serious questions about the safety practices at New York Helicopter, as investigations continue into the tragic deaths of Escobar and his family.
