New aerial video footage released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) shows the aftermath of a tragic tour helicopter crash into the Hudson River on April 10, resulting in the deaths of six people, including three children. The footage captured divers jumping into the murky water from NYPD boats and wading towards the overturned helicopter to recover the pilot and passengers, including Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children. The quick response by the NYPD’s diving unit was due in part to their search for a missing person in the river, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Despite unfavorable weather conditions during the rescue, the team remained focused on locating key pieces of the aircraft to aid in the investigation.
During a news conference following the tragic crash, NYPD Scuba Unit Officer Joseph Frevola stated that the team was able to reach the site of the helicopter crash within eight to ten minutes. Despite challenging conditions, including strong currents and inclement weather, the divers were able to locate the main fuselage, cockpit, and other key components of the helicopter. They were particularly focused on finding the tail and main rotors of the aircraft to assist in determining the cause of the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later revealed that the helicopter lacked any flight recorders or onboard video or camera recorders, leaving many questions unanswered in the investigation of the incident. Authorities are continuing their search for wreckage using side-scanning sonar to piece together what led to the tragic accident.
The NTSB confirmed that the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc. and had undergone its last inspection on March 1, completing seven tour flights prior to the crash. Despite this recent inspection, the helicopter tragically plummeted into the Hudson River, resulting in the loss of six lives. The lack of flight recorders onboard the helicopter has posed a challenge in determining the cause of the crash, as investigators rely on these devices to provide critical data following such incidents. While the search for wreckage continues, authorities are working diligently to gather all available evidence and information to piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash.
The tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River claimed the lives of six individuals, including three young children, prompting a swift response from the NYPD’s diving unit. Despite challenging weather conditions and the absence of flight recorders onboard the aircraft, divers were able to recover key components of the helicopter to aid in the investigation. The lack of crucial data from flight recorders has posed a challenge for authorities as they work to determine the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future. The ongoing search for wreckage and thorough investigation by the NTSB and other agencies will hopefully provide answers and closure for the families of the victims as they seek justice and accountability for the tragic loss of life.
