Doomed Hudson River chopper was featured in firm’s safety vid before smashing into water, killing family of 5 and pilot

THE doomed tourist chopper that tragically crashed in the Hudson River and killed six people was featured in the firm's safety inspection video.

The,broke apart midair before plunging into the icy cold river, killing everyone onboard.

Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson wasa tour of New York City when the chopper suddenly nosedived

Siemens boss , aged four, five, and 11, died along with Johnson.

It has since emerged that the chopper, with registration number N216MH, was operated by New York Helicopters.

Footage found on the New York Helicopter's website shows the helicopete was featured in the firm's promo video.

The video is embedded into the company’s home page under a section titled “Why Choose Us”.

The website states alongside the video: “We have an industry-leading safety record,” the website states alongside the video.”

A spokesperson for New York Helicopters said the company is “not operating until further notice”;.

In a statement posted after the tragic disaster, the tour firm said it was “profoundly saddened by the tragic accident and loss of life that occurred on April 10, 2025, involving one of our helicopters in the Hudson River”.

Just two weeks ago, pilot Johnson posted a now-devastating video of himself piloting a helicopter in New York City with the caption “When it all comes together”.

He had just moved to New York City to pursue his dream of being a pilot weeks before tragedy struck, his family told Gothamist.

In an emotional interview, his wife Kathryn Johnson said, “I'm just at a loss for words. I don't even know what happened.

“It's just hard right now.”

The Spanish family had landed in New York just hours before the wreck, having flown in from Barcelona to kick off their vacation.

But tragedy struck around 3.17 pm, when the helicopter reportedly broke apart midair and plunged into the Hudson, killing four people on impact.

Two others were later pronounced dead at the hospital.

A harrowing just moments before the terrifying crash.

Michael Roth, the owner of the helicopter, told The Telegraph: “He [the pilot] called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel.

“It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn't arrive.”

---

What we know so far:

• The , crashed into the Hudson River around 3.17pm on Thursday.
• Witnesses say the chopper broke apart midair before plunging into the river.
• Agustin Escobar, Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, was on board with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children.
• The family had just arrived in New York from Barcelona earlier that day.
• The pilot of the chopper, whose identity has not yet been released, was also killed.
• Heartbreaking photos on the New York Helicopter Tours website
• Authorities are still working to determine what caused the helicopter to break apart in midair – with
• Experts have said the investigation needs to centre on the so-called that holds the rotor together
• A captured revealed the pilot was running low on fuel
• Johnson posted a in New York City two weeks ago

---

completely upside down in the Hudson River as New York Police Department boats rushed to the wreckage.

Heartbreaking pictures from the site of the Hudson River helicopter crash show debris floating in the water, including a child’s sneaker.

The black and pink sole of the shoe can be seen in the murky waters, as well as a seat from the

A black container and something that looks like a lid from a pink water bottle can also be seen floating, as well as parts of the helicopter itself.

Other pictures from the scene appear to show a waterlogged safety booklet.

The Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, tail number N216MH, had already made nine short trips earlier the same day, according to tracking site FlightAware.

It repeatedly took off from and landed at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.

Most flights looped around Manhattan, swung past the Statue of Liberty, and flew up to the George Washington Bridge before heading back.

The longest journey clocked in at just 25 minutes.

An aviation expert told Flying Eze it may have been caused by a single missing or faulty bolt onboard commonly known as .

Julian Bray suggested the critical component, which holds the rotor system in place, may have failed mid-flight and led to the six deaths.

A lacking or faulty nut, he said, could have caused the chopper blades to detach while still spinning and slice through the aircraft before it plunged into the water.

TECH BOSS' TRAGEDY

Escobar, a 25-year veteran of the international tech and mobility scene, had held top positions across the globe — including Spain, South America, and the U.S.

Most recently, he was appointed Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility in October.

His wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, also had an impressive career.

She worked as a global commercialization manager at Siemens Energy in Barcelona for seven years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

The Spanish mum was reportedly related to two former Barcelona FC presidents, including one who brought Johan Cruyff to the club.

Montal was the great-granddaughter of Augusti Montal Galobart, Barcelona’s president from 1946 to 1952, and the granddaughter of Augusti Montal Costa, who was in charge of the Catalan club from 1969 to 1977.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has shared his condolences after all five members of a Spanish family — including three children — were killed in Thursday’s helicopter crash in the Hudson River.

“The news reaching us today of the helicopter crash in the Hudson River is devastating,”; Sánchez said in a post on X early Friday.

“Five Spaniards from the same family, three of them children, and the pilot have lost their lives. An unimaginable tragedy. I share in the grief of the victims’ loved ones at this heartbreaking time.”;