Hudson River helicopter crash: 3 adults, 3 children dead after passenger helicopter crashes in the Hudson River
CNNAPR 15
NYC Helicopter Crash: Spanish CEO's Family Among 6 Killed
Above: Emergency crews pull the wreckage of the helicopter out after it crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025. Image copyright: Thomas Hengge/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This crash was likely caused by the main rotor striking the tail boom and sending the helicopter into an unrecoverable free fall. Even the aircraft's owner, with decades of experience in the business, said he'd never seen anything like it, underscoring how rare and violent this was. Investigating the maintenance history will be crucial to understanding what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
Narrative B
This incident raises serious concerns about the safety record of New York Helicopter Charter. The company has faced multiple incidents, including emergency landings in 2013 and 2015 due to mechanical issues. Recently, it has struggled financially, with one helicopter having been repossessed. The crash, involving a leased helicopter, should demand intense further scrutiny of the company's operations.