NEW YORK — A helicopter plunged into the Hudson River on Friday, killing all six people onboard, including a family of five from Spain and the pilot, the Associated Press reported. Witnesses captured the horrifying moment just before the crash, with rotor blades fully detached but still spinning, signaling a catastrophic mechanical failure.
The victims were two adults, three children, and the pilot, believed to be on a sightseeing tour over Manhattan. The crash occurred near the city’s waterfront, with the Manhattan skyline looming in the background. Emergency responders, including the NYPD and U.S. Coast Guard, rushed to the scene, but there were no survivors. Recovery efforts in the cold, fast-moving river proved challenging.
The incident, marked by the rotor blade detachment, points to a severe mechanical issue—possibly a manufacturing defect, poor maintenance, or external impact. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, focusing on the helicopter’s history and the operator’s safety record. Onlookers near the waterfront, visible in footage, may provide critical accounts to aid the probe.
This tragedy adds to New York City’s history of helicopter accidents, following a 2018 Hudson River crash that killed five and a 2019 incident in Manhattan. It raises fresh concerns about the safety of urban air tours, a popular tourist activity. Past crashes have led to calls for stricter regulations, and this incident may prompt lawmakers to revisit oversight of helicopter operations.
The crash comes amid a tense period in the U.S., with Trump’s 104% tariffs on Chinese imports causing economic strain, as seen in a toy importer’s costs soaring from $26,000 to $346,000. Political moves like the SAVE Act and IRS scrutiny of the Gates Foundation reflect a focus on domestic fairness, but this accident underscores broader safety challenges. Spain is expected to seek answers through diplomatic channels as the investigation unfolds. For now, the city mourns a devastating loss.
