April 10, 2025 – New York City

A sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, resulting in multiple fatalities including passengers and the pilot, according to New York City officials.

The helicopter, identified as a Bell 206 operated by Manhattan Helicopter Tours, crashed into the water near West 30th Street at approximately 3:15 PM local time. Witnesses described seeing the aircraft experiencing apparent mechanical difficulties before it spiraled downward and impacted the water.

“It was making this terrible sputtering noise, then it started spinning and just dropped,” said Jennifer Morris, 34, who was jogging along Hudson River Park when the crash occurred. “It hit the water hard. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

First responders, including NYPD Harbor Units, FDNY marine units, and Coast Guard vessels, converged rapidly on the scene. Despite their quick response, authorities confirmed that the pilot and all four passengers aboard the helicopter were killed in the crash.

“This is a tragic day for our city,” said Mayor Eric Williams during a press conference near the crash site. “Our emergency personnel responded with incredible speed, but sadly, they were unable to save those on board. Our hearts go out to the families who are now facing an unimaginable loss.”

The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of their families. Officials confirmed that three of the passengers were tourists from outside the United States.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have dispatched investigators to the scene. They will work to recover the wreckage from the river and determine the cause of the crash.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation to understand exactly what happened here today,” said NTSB spokesperson Michael Reynolds. “Our team will be examining the aircraft’s maintenance records, the pilot’s history, weather conditions, and any communications with air traffic control prior to the incident.”

Manhattan Helicopter Tours, which has operated sightseeing flights in New York City since 2008, released a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims and pledging full cooperation with investigators.

“We are devastated by this terrible accident and the loss of our colleague and guests,” the statement read. “Safety has always been our highest priority, and we are working closely with investigators to understand what went wrong.”

The company has temporarily suspended all flight operations pending the investigation.

This crash comes amid ongoing debates about helicopter traffic over New York City. Local officials and community groups have long raised concerns about safety and noise pollution from the numerous tour helicopters that fly over Manhattan daily.

“This tragic accident underscores the concerns many of us have been raising for years,” said City Council member Sarah Rodriguez, who represents the district where the crash occurred. “While we don’t yet know the cause, it’s a stark reminder of the inherent risks of operating these aircraft in such a densely populated area.”

The Hudson River corridor is a popular route for helicopters and small aircraft, allowing them to traverse the length of Manhattan without flying directly over the city’s buildings. Previous incidents in the area include a 2009 crash between a tourist helicopter and a small plane that killed nine people.

Following today’s crash, temporary flight restrictions have been put in place over the accident site as recovery operations continue.

Witnesses to the crash described a chaotic scene as numerous emergency vehicles converged on the area.

“I heard the crash and ran to the railing. There was debris floating everywhere,” said Mark Thompson, who was working in an office building overlooking the river. “The emergency boats arrived incredibly fast, but it was clear this was very serious from the beginning.”

Police have established a support center at a nearby community center for witnesses who may need counseling after observing the traumatic event.

Mayor Williams has ordered flags on all city buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives.

Authorities have asked anyone with photos or videos of the incident to contact the NTSB as they compile evidence for their investigation.