The fatal crash on the Hudson River on Thursday became the latest tragedy on a long line of helicopter accidents around New York City, with excited tourists turning to the popular attraction and getting a unique vantage point for the Big Apple.
Elaina Latona was one of countless tourists excited to take in the views of Manhattan in the air. Less than two weeks after the fatal crash, Latona was invited by a friend on March 28th on a last minute chopper ride across Manhattan.
“I was a little nervous about it because of all the plane crashes that were happening,” Ratna told Fox News Digital. “They gave us a tiny little life jacket, and I said, if something happens, how will this save me?”
The Hudson River helicopter crash pilot called about requiring fuel before a fatal accident, the CEO says
A helicopter can be seen floating in New York, USA on April 10, 2025 after crashing into the Hudson River near Manhattan. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The two friends boarded a helicopter in Lower Manhattan, boarded a plane and enjoyed the scenic views of the city.
Two weeks later, Ratna saw reports of a helicopter crashing into the Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, and realized that it was not only the same company she flew, but also the same aircraft she was on.
“I thought, 'Wow, something might have been wrong,'” Ratna said. “That's really sad.”
As reported, Latona matched the tail number of the aircraft that fell (N216MH) in photos taken before boarding the helicopter. Ratna is not said to be feeling normal during the flight, but said, “I thought the helicopter looked a little older.”
Six deaths, including three children, after the Hudson River helicopter plummet
Elaina Latona boarded the same helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River two weeks before the tragic crash. (Provided by Elaina Latona)
After being able to be considered a close call, Ratna vows not to ride a helicopter again.
“Before I found this, I said I would probably go back to it, but now it's definitely not,” Ratna told Fox News Digital.
Investigators are piecing together the causes of the tourist helicopter chartered on a New York helicopter tour, plunging into the Hudson River, killing all six of them on board.
The five passengers are identified as Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, global manager of the energy technology company and three young children, Merce Campulvimontal. According to the Associated Press.
The pilot whose name is not disclosed also died in the crash.
Crash fall of an airplane near Minneapolis returns home with flames with no survivors on board
File photos of victims of a helicopter crash in New York City on Thursday, April 10th, 2025. The five families killed in the tragedy include Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Campulvi Montal, global manager of the Energy Technology Company, and three children. The pilot was also killed. (New York Helicopter Tour, LLC)
This map shows the approximate location where a helicopter collided with the Hudson River on the afternoon of Thursday, April 10th, 2025. (Fox News)
New York helicopter tours did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
The fateful Chopper took off from the downtown Manhattan heliport around 3pm on Thursday, carrying five passengers and a pilot.
About 15 minutes after the flight, the pilot radioed to the crew on the ground that Chopper had to urgently return for fuel. Aircraft Types – Bell Helicopter 206 – can hold enough fuel on flights for more than two hours and why the crew didn't have enough fuel for the helicopter, Fox News Digital learned.
However, the helicopter never returned to the landing area.
Video shows a crash of a DC plane, including American Airlines flight, Black Hawk helicopter
At about 3:17pm, authorities began receiving 911 calls regarding fallen aircraft on the Hudson River, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish said at a press conference Thursday.
Witnesses reported seeing Chopper's rotor slump towards the water and spin out of control.
“The only thing I know about watching the video of a helicopter falling is that the main rotor blade was not in the helicopter,” says Michael Ross, CEO of the New York Helicopter Tour. I told the New York Post. “I have never seen anything like that in the business, helicopter business for 30 years. The only thing I can guess is I can't get a clue – it's a bird strike or a failed rotor blade.
Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates small plane crashes and pilots are dead
Crane container lifts the remains of a helicopter that hit the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday, April 10, 2025 (Seth Wenig/AP)
First responders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) arrived at the crash scene within minutes, pulling the victims away from the frigid waters. Paramedics tried to save lives on a nearby pier, but four were declared dead at the scene, while others were declared dead at the local hospital.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters that the family is on vacation from Spain.
“There were over 65 million people who visited our city last year. You're on vacation, you want to experience New York from the sky, and something like this happens. It's heartbreaking for everyone,” Adams said.
A small plane crash crash in Boca Raton, Florida kills 3, police say
New York City is no stranger to a helicopter crash. Six other incidents have been reported in the city since 2009.
Helicopter pilots and co-pilot survived after the aircraft was severely damaged while landing on Manhattan helipads in 2021.
Two years ago, the helicopter pilot survived after the aircraft went down on the Hudson River. A few weeks later, choppers used for executive travel attacked the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper, killing the pilot.
In 2018, five passengers were killed after a “open door” helicopter crashed into the East River.
Siemens Executive, wife and three children id'd' as victims of Hudson River Helicopter crash
Police and firefighters are working at the site after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan in New York, USA on April 10, 2025. (via Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Getty Images)
In 2011, three families died after Chopper rushed into the East River. Two years ago, nine Italian tourists were killed after a tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River.
In light of Thursday's crash, lawmakers are calling for reform within New York City's airspace.
New York Sen. Brad Hoyleman Cigar is reportedly considering limiting Manhattan flights to law enforcement, media members and transport required.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Hoylman-Sigal did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law requiring the helipad on West 30th Avenue in Manhattan to be moved from Hudson River Park, citing safety concerns.
“We probably avoided the disaster in a few minutes,” says Hoyleman Cigal He told ABC 7. “That's the concern here: if helicopters get into trouble in a densely populated area like Manhattan, the disaster can be much worse.”
Jacqliene Mangini and the Associated Press of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
