The photograph shared by New York Helicopter Tours just hours before the tragedy showed a family beaming with anticipation: Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children—Agustín Jr., 10, Mercè, 8, and Víctor, 4—standing proudly in front of the helicopter that would take them soaring above New York City’s iconic skyline. The family had traveled from Barcelona to celebrate their daughter’s ninth birthday, a milestone she would never reach. On Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025, their joyous sightseeing trip ended in heartbreak when their helicopter plunged into the Hudson River, claiming the lives of all six aboard, including the pilot, 36-year-old Sean Johnson. The crash, one of the deadliest aviation incidents in New York City’s recent history, has left a city mourning and a global community grappling with loss.
The helicopter, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV operated by New York Helicopter Tours, lifted off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2:59 p.m. The planned route promised breathtaking views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River, a popular excursion for tourists seeking a bird’s-eye perspective of the city. The Escobar family, prominent in both business and cultural circles, was no stranger to international travel. Agustín Escobar, 49, served as the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, a role that capped a 27-year career marked by leadership across Europe, the United States, and Latin America. His wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 40, was the Global Commercialization Manager at Siemens Energy and carried a storied legacy as the granddaughter of Agustí Montal Costa, a former president of FC Barcelona. Their children, full of promise, were at the heart of a trip meant to blend business with cherished family memories.
Sixteen minutes into the flight, as the helicopter cruised north along the Hudson, pilot Sean Johnson radioed a distressing message to the heliport, reporting a fuel shortage and requesting an immediate return. Moments later, witnesses along the riverfront near Pier 40 and West Houston Street heard a deafening boom. Video footage captured the horrifying descent: the helicopter, missing its main rotor blades, spiraled upside down before crashing into the chilly waters of the Hudson. Emergency responders, including NYPD divers and FDNY marine units, arrived within minutes, pulling four lifeless bodies from the wreckage. Two others, initially rescued in critical condition, were rushed to nearby hospitals but could not be saved. By late Thursday, the fuselage was hoisted from the river, revealing a mangled shell that underscored the violence of the impact.
The immediate aftermath was marked by shock and grief. Mayor Eric Adams, addressing reporters at Pier 40, described the crash as a “heart-wrenching tragedy” and extended condolences to the families, noting the cruel irony of a birthday celebration turned to sorrow. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called the loss “unimaginable,” while colleagues at Siemens expressed devastation, remembering Escobar and Camprubí Montal as visionary leaders and devoted parents. Michael Roth, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours, spoke with raw emotion, his voice breaking as he reflected on the loss of an entire family. Having operated in the industry for over three decades, Roth said the incident was unprecedented in his experience, pointing to the missing rotor blades as a clue to a possible mechanical failure or external factor, though he cautioned against speculation until investigators reached a conclusion.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have taken charge of the investigation, dispatching teams to comb through maintenance records, flight data, and wreckage for answers. Early reports suggest the helicopter, built in 2004 and certified airworthy through 2029, was on its sixth flight of the day. Witnesses described seeing parts of the aircraft break apart midair, with some speculating about a bird strike or structural failure. The pilot’s fuel warning has raised questions about operational protocols, though experts note that fuel-related emergencies rarely lead to such catastrophic outcomes without additional factors. The investigation will also examine compliance with recent FAA directives concerning tail rotor drive shafts and main rotor blades, issued to address known vulnerabilities in Bell 206 models.
This tragedy casts a shadow over New York’s bustling aerial tourism industry, which draws thousands annually with promises of unparalleled views. Past incidents, including a 2018 East River crash that killed five, have spurred calls for tighter regulations, yet helicopters remain a staple of the city’s skies. For the Escobar family, what began as a moment of wonder ended in a loss felt across continents. As tributes pour in from Barcelona to Berlin, the search for answers continues, driven by a shared resolve to prevent such a sorrow from striking again.