NYC helicopter crashed after pilot called about need for fuel, CEO says
New details have emerged regarding the tragic helicopter crash that took place in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon. The pilot of the ill-fated aircraft reportedly radioed about needing to refuel just minutes before the helicopter plunged into the chilly waters, according to Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tour, the company that operated the helicopter.
Roth revealed that the pilot had called in to report that he was landing and needed fuel, with an expected arrival time of about three minutes. However, 20 minutes passed and the helicopter never arrived at its destination. Roth expressed shock at the incident, stating that the main rotor blades were not attached to the helicopter as it plummeted into the river. He speculated that the rotor blades may have failed or that there was a bird strike, but emphasized that he had never witnessed such a catastrophic event in his 30 years in the helicopter business.
Tragically, all six people on board the helicopter, including five members of the same family, did not survive the crash. The passengers have been identified as Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercé Camprubi Montal, who was a global manager at an energy technology company, and their three young children. The pilot’s identity has not been released as of yet.
The flight took off from a Downtown Manhattan heliport around 3 p.m. and was in the air for approximately 18 minutes before the crash occurred. Eyewitnesses captured footage of the helicopter’s rotor detaching from the cabin as it spiraled uncontrollably towards the water near Jersey City. Authorities received 911 calls about the crash at around 3:17 p.m., with reports of the helicopter spinning before landing in the river.
Emergency personnel, including divers from the New York City Fire Department and Police Department, responded swiftly to the scene. Despite their efforts, four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, while the others were declared dead at local hospitals. The water temperature in the Hudson River at the time of the crash was in the mid-40s, adding to the challenges faced by first responders.
The incident, which occurred less than a mile from Manhattan and near the busy Holland Tunnel, prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to establish a safety zone around the area. The helicopter was later salvaged by the Army Corps of Engineers, and the investigation into the crash is ongoing.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed his condolences to the family of the victims, who were visiting from Spain. He described the tragedy as heartbreaking and emphasized the impact it had on tourists experiencing the city from the sky. The crash marks the first helicopter incident in the city since 2019 when an aircraft collided with a skyscraper, resulting in the pilot’s death.
As the investigation continues, authorities and local partners are working together to support the National Transportation Safety Board in their efforts to determine the cause of the crash. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time.
