A sightseeing helicopter tragically crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board. This incident has raised concerns about aviation safety in the United States, especially following a series of recent aviation mishaps.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed that the victims were recovered from the water and pronounced dead. Among those who lost their lives was Agustin Escobar, a senior executive at Siemens AG, who was traveling with his wife and three children. The family was visiting from Spain, and the pilot also perished in the crash.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene, with one person reporting that the helicopter appeared to be breaking apart midair, while another noted it was spinning out of control before hitting the water. The helicopter took off from a heliport near Wall Street and had flown over notable landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, before it crashed.
Michael Roth, the CEO of New York Helicopter, the company that operated the flight, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and stated that they are cooperating with investigators. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will investigate the crash, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
This accident comes amid growing unease about aviation safety in the U.S. Earlier on the same day, a passenger jet carrying members of Congress was involved in a near-miss incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In January, a midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet also raised alarms about safety protocols.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop commented on the need for a broader discussion about safety measures in densely populated areas like New York City, especially in light of past helicopter crashes, including a 2018 incident in the East River that resulted in five fatalities.
Agustin Escobar had a long career with Siemens, holding various positions in cities like Berlin, Madrid, and New York. He was recently appointed CEO of the rail infrastructure division at Siemens Mobility. The company expressed its condolences to the victims’ families, mourning the loss of Escobar and his loved ones.