A sightseeing flight ends in catastrophe as a Bell 206 helicopter crashes into the Hudson River, killing all six on board; Donald Trump calls the incident “horrendous.”
New York, April 11 – A sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish family of five — including three children — and their pilot crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board.
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Video footage shared widely on social media captured the horrifying moment the Bell 206 aircraft spun out of control and plunged into the water near the Jersey City shoreline. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke and debris in the air as the chopper spiraled downward.
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Hudson River Helicopter crash @fox5ny @ABC7 @NBCNewYork @CBSNewYork @njdotcom @News12NJ @CNN @cnnbrk
— SangriaUltra (@xpertcommander) April 10, 2025
Credit: Bruce Wall pic.twitter.com/CVy249wApx
JUST IN: 6 people are confirmed to be deceased in the Hudson River helicopter crash, according to the Associated Press.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 10, 2025
The chopper's propeller was seen detached from the helicopter, spinning into the water.
According to a witness who spoke with NBC, the chopper blade just… pic.twitter.com/EMpWMJC9el
Flight Path and Impact
The helicopter took off from downtown Skyport at around 3 p.m., flying south before looping north along Manhattan to the George Washington Bridge, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.
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As it turned back toward the Manhattan heliport, it lost control and crashed near a Hoboken pier.
“NYPD divers recovered four victims at the site, and FDNY divers found two more. Despite lifesaving efforts at the scene and nearby pier, all six victims have tragically died,” Tisch confirmed.
Witness Accounts
Local residents and restaurant staff near the Hoboken waterfront described the chopper’s terrifying descent.
“It was spinning with a bunch of smoke coming out,” a hostess told the AP.
Another eyewitness added, “It looked like the rotor shattered in the sky… then it just spiraled and hit the water.”
Experts Point to Catastrophic Mechanical Failure
Justin Green, a former US Marine Corps helicopter pilot and current aviation attorney, analyzed the crash footage and concluded the pilot had no control over the aircraft.
“The video suggests a catastrophic failure. The rotors may have hit the tail boom, breaking it apart. Once lift is lost, it’s like a rock falling. No pilot could’ve saved it. It’s heartbreaking.”
Global and Political Reactions
US President Donald Trump expressed condolences and called the footage “horrendous.”
“Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River… God bless the families and friends of the victims,” he wrote on Truth Social, adding that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is investigating the tragedy.
New York Mayor Eric Adams echoed the sentiment, calling it a “heartbreaking and tragic crash.”
Historical Context
Thursday’s crash adds to a grim tally: at least 38 people have died in helicopter-related incidents in New York City since 1977, underscoring persistent safety concerns in urban airspace.
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New York helicopter crash, Hudson River tragedy, Bell 206 crash, sightseeing helicopter accident, Spanish tourists killed, NYPD crash response, aviation safety, catastrophic failure, Donald Trump reaction, Eric Adams statement