Just minutes after making a routine call to report low fuel, a sightseeing helicopter carrying six people, including three young children, vanished from radar and crashed into the Hudson River, claiming every life on board.
What was supposed to be a scenic tour over New York City turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for the Escobar family from Barcelona, Spain. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, was joined by his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children—ages 4, 5, and 11—on what should have been a memorable family outing. Tragically, their journey ended just 16 minutes after takeoff when the aircraft plummeted into the water, killing all five passengers and the pilot.
The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter, took off from a downtown Manhattan skyport around 3 p.m. on April 10. It was flying a standard route over landmarks like Governor’s Island and the Statue of Liberty, then north toward the George Washington Bridge before looping back along the Jersey City shoreline. According to company owner Michael Roth, the pilot radioed to say he was heading back for fuel, expecting to land in just three minutes. But when he didn’t arrive 20 minutes later, Roth feared the worst.
Emergency services were notified at 3:17 p.m. Another pilot spotted the wreckage floating upside down in the river, confirming the aircraft had gone down. Witnesses described terrifying sounds, including loud cracks and what some compared to a “sonic boom,” moments before seeing parts of the helicopter detach and the aircraft spiral into the water.
Experts have already begun analyzing what might have gone wrong. Aviation analyst Kyle Bailey suspects a rotor blade failure that may have severed the helicopter’s tail—an in-flight catastrophe that leaves pilots powerless. JP Tristani, a retired Air Force colonel and aviation expert, called it an “unsurvivable” failure. “Losing the rotor head or even a single blade turns the aircraft into a falling brick,” he said. “There’s no recovery from that.”
Weather conditions at the time were marginally challenging, with winds gusting up to 25 mph and overcast skies. While visibility at ground level was decent, incoming rain and wind could have compounded any mechanical issues the pilot was facing. Audio recordings from air traffic control revealed nearby helicopters were asked to scan the water for signs of the wreckage.
Federal authorities have since imposed temporary flight restrictions around the crash site as the FAA and NTSB conduct a full investigation. Though early reports suggest mechanical failure, officials have not yet determined a definitive cause.
The victims’ identities have stirred global grief. Escobar, a major figure in the international transportation sector, was the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. His decades-long career focused on innovation and sustainability in transit systems. His loss—and that of his family—has been deeply felt across Europe and beyond, with Spain’s Prime Minister issuing a public message of condolence.
Video footage from a nearby building captured the final horrifying moments: the helicopter nosediving in a rapid, uncontrolled spiral before crashing into the river. Bystanders rushed to alert emergency services, but it was too late. Witnesses described seeing debris fall from the sky, with one noting the aircraft remained above water for only a few seconds before disappearing beneath the surface.
The pilot, a 36-year-old who has not yet been publicly named, was reportedly experienced and FAA-certified. New York Helicopter, which operated the tour, emphasized that all its pilots are highly trained with commercial and instructor ratings. The aircraft involved, a Bell 206 LongRanger, is generally considered reliable, but the incident has now raised questions about its airworthiness and maintenance.
Photos taken just before takeoff show the Escobar family smiling on the helipad, clutching souvenir bags, unaware of the tragedy ahead. The image has since become a haunting symbol of a day meant for joy that ended in unimaginable loss.
As authorities continue their investigation, families and friends around the world are left mourning. The Escobar family’s visit was meant to be a happy memory—one last adventure together. Instead, it has become a reminder of life’s fragility, and a call for answers as the world grieves their sudden and tragic loss.