Update: Six Dead in NYC Helicopter Crash Over Hudson River
April 10, 2025 – New York City
Authorities have confirmed that all six individuals on board a sightseeing helicopter were killed after it crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan this afternoon.
The Bell 206 aircraft, which departed from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m., lost radar contact around 3:25 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing a loud snapping sound moments before the helicopter broke apart mid-air and plunged into the river near Pier 40.
The victims include a family of five tourists visiting from Spain—two adults and three children—along with the pilot. Emergency crews from New York and New Jersey, including the NYPD, FDNY, and Coast Guard, responded quickly, but all six were pronounced dead at the scene.
Recovery efforts were hampered by cold water temperatures and limited visibility. The helicopter was found submerged and inverted in approximately 50-degree water.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are actively investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary observations suggest a structural failure may have occurred before impact.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the incident “a heartbreaking tragedy,” extending condolences to the victims’ families and vowing full transparency in the ongoing investigation.
This crash is among the deadliest helicopter accidents in New York City in recent memory.
Witnesses at the scene described a terrifying moment as the helicopter appeared to lose control midair before plummeting into the river. “It looked like it dipped to one side and just dropped,” said a bystander who was jogging along the West Side Greenway. “Then we heard a loud splash and saw parts of the chopper break apart.”
Emergency personnel from the NYPD, FDNY, Coast Guard, and local EMS responded swiftly. Divers entered the water within minutes, pulling victims from the cold, debris-filled river as rescue boats and helicopters scoured the crash site for any additional survivors.
The aircraft, which officials say may have been a charter or sightseeing helicopter, is now mostly submerged, with only scattered wreckage visible on the surface. Efforts are underway to recover the remaining portions of the aircraft and determine if anyone else remains unaccounted for.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both been notified and are expected to conduct a full investigation.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area due to ongoing emergency operations and traffic disruptions. Several streets in lower Manhattan near the West Side Highway have been temporarily closed.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.