Deadly Hudson Helicopter Crash: No Flight Recorders Found on Board, Reveals NTSB
New York City — April 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the helicopter which tragically crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six people on board, was operating without any flight data or voice recording equipment — a major setback for aviation safety and investigations.
The aircraft, a Bell 206 operated by New York Helicopter Charter, had just completed its eighth sightseeing flight of the day when it plunged upside down into the river near Lower Manhattan, shortly after 3:15 p.m.
Victims and Timeline
All six occupants perished in the crash, including Agustín Escobar, a senior Siemens executive, his wife Mercè Camprubí, and their three children aged 10, 8, and 4. The pilot, Seankese Johnson, a Navy veteran, also died in the incident.
Authorities reported that four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining two succumbed to their injuries in local hospitals.
No Flight Recorders Onboard
In a Saturday update, the NTSB confirmed that no black boxes or cockpit voice recorders were present on the helicopter, and no onboard systems captured useful flight data.
“There is no available video, audio, or data that could support the investigative process,” the NTSB stated.
Divers are still searching for missing components such as the main rotor, gearbox, and tail rotor, while several recovered parts—including the cockpit and parts of the tail—have been transported to Washington for analysis.
Pilot's Last Communication and Fuel Concerns
Preliminary reports indicate that the pilot may have reported low fuel prior to the crash. While the exact cause is still undetermined, the operator’s CEO told The Telegraph that the pilot was “in the process of landing” and had communicated a need for refueling.
Investigators have reviewed two similar aircraft and are examining the operator’s safety protocols, pilot training, maintenance records, and flight operations. The helicopter had undergone its last major inspection on March 1st.
Growing Concern Over Helicopter Tour Safety
This tragedy is one of several aviation accidents that have rocked the U.S. recently. On Friday, three members of the Stark family were killed in a small plane crash in Boca Raton, Florida. Another twin-engine aircraft crashed in Copake, New York on Saturday, with multiple fatalities reported.
The spike in incidents has intensified national concerns, particularly after January’s catastrophic mid-air collision near Washington D.C., which killed 67 people and prompted a temporary ban on helicopter flights in that corridor.
Final Reflection
While helicopter tours are popular in cities like New York, this accident highlights the urgent need for improved safety standards, including mandatory installation of flight recorders and stricter operational oversight.
As the NTSB continues its probe, this devastating event serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of flight — and the price of oversight gaps.
Sources: News Agencies