A devastating helicopter crash in the Hudson River has left six people dead, including a prominent Siemens executive, his wife, and their three young children. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 10, 2025, when the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter crashed near Hoboken, New Jersey, just minutes after taking off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
Among the victims was Agustín Escobar, a highly respected executive at Siemens Mobility and former CEO of Siemens Spain. He was traveling with his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The family had been visiting New York City from Spain and had embarked on what was meant to be a scenic tour of Manhattan. Tragically, it ended in catastrophe. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, was also killed in the crash.
According to officials, the helicopter took off at 2:59 p.m. and followed a common sightseeing route, first flying south past the Statue of Liberty before heading north along the Hudson River toward the George Washington Bridge. At 3:08 p.m., it began heading back south along the New Jersey shoreline. Within minutes, the helicopter began to malfunction and ultimately crashed into the river at approximately 3:17 p.m. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flip upside down in the air and lose pieces mid-flight before hitting the water with devastating force.
Emergency responders from the NYPD, FDNY, and Jersey City authorities rushed to the scene. Police pulled four people from the water while FDNY recovered two more. Sadly, four victims were declared dead at the scene, and two children who were taken to the Jersey City Medical Center were pronounced dead shortly after. New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board.”
Flight data from tracking service FlightRadar24 confirms the aircraft was airborne for just under 18 minutes. It had reached an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet near the George Washington Bridge before it reversed direction. Initial weather reports indicated light rain, cloud cover, and winds between 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Visibility on the surface was reported as clear, making poor weather conditions an unlikely primary cause of the accident.
The helicopter involved in the crash was a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, built in 2004 and certified as airworthy through 2029. However, the aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter Charter, a company with a checkered safety record. In 2015, an FAA inspection found that one of its helicopters showed signs of structural corrosion and possible unauthorized repairs that rendered the aircraft unairworthy. In 2013, another helicopter from the same company made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after experiencing engine failure.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since launched an official investigation, with a full team dispatched to the crash site. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also assisting in the investigation. Authorities will be examining the helicopter’s maintenance records, its compliance with recent airworthiness directives, and any structural failures related to its tail rotor drive shaft and main rotor blades. A 2023 FAA directive had required inspections and potential replacements of parts on this specific model due to prior incidents of mechanical failure.
Notably, the helicopter was flying within the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) of New York, where aircraft operate without traditional air traffic control services. Though it had received guidance from LaGuardia Airport before entering this space, the lack of oversight within the SFRA has drawn renewed scrutiny following the crash.
Global reaction to the tragedy has been swift. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the crash “an unimaginable tragedy” and expressed his condolences to the grieving families. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also posted a statement on Truth Social, offering prayers and affirming that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is closely monitoring the investigation.
Agustín Escobar was known for his leadership in the transportation sector, particularly in rail infrastructure. At the time of his death, he was based in Berlin, serving as a key executive at Siemens Mobility. His loss, along with the loss of his family, has left a deep impact not only on the Siemens organization but also on international business communities.
As investigators continue to uncover the reasons behind the crash, this tragedy raises serious questions about sightseeing tour safety and the oversight of private charter helicopter operations. The event stands as one of the deadliest helicopter crashes in recent years in New York, a city where aerial tours are both popular and highly regulated.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in even routine aviation experiences. With the eyes of the world watching, authorities are under pressure to deliver answers—and accountability.