Images released by the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) on Wednesday depict the tour helicopter that went down in the Hudson River on April 10th. The specific cause of the crash remains unclear; however, initial findings from the NTSB indicate that multiple witnesses reported hearing several loud “bangs” from the Bell 206L-4 aircraft before it abruptly broke into three main sections and descended into the water.
The images reveal that the fuselage, which included the engine and the main rotor assembly, was completely detached from the tail boom. Further shots show the main rotor blades accompanied by the mobile phone and roof structure, separate from the fuselage.
According to flight tracking data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the helicopter took off from a heliport in downtown Manhattan and initially veered south of the Statue of Liberty. It then continued north along the east side of the Hudson River, adjacent to Manhattan, passing through the George Washington Bridge before making a U-turn and heading south along New Jersey’s riverbanks.
As the aircraft neared the Dutch Tunnel ventilation tower in Jersey City, New Jersey, it climbed to approximately 675 feet before rapidly descending, with its final known altitude being 125 feet.
Preliminary findings suggest the fuselage landed upside down north of the ventilation tower, in water around six feet deep, while the main rotor and tail boom section were discovered approximately 30 feet away in deeper water. Additionally, debris was retrieved from the river’s surface and rooftops near NJ Transitville in Hoboken. Notably, the NTSB has not indicated that the helicopter collided with any building.
The investigation into the incident will examine all possibilities, as the helicopter lacked a video or data recording device. Nevertheless, photos taken of the pilot just before the flight showed he was wearing computer-assisted sunglasses capable of recording video and audio, although these were not collected.
Six individuals lost their lives in the crash, including a seasoned Navy Seal pilot, two adults, and three children. Five of the victims have been tentatively identified as part of a Spanish family: Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, his wife Melskan Rubimontal, and their three young children.
In the aftermath of the accident, the tour helicopter company responsible for the operation has announced plans to close its business. New Jersey Transit has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
