Helicopter Company Faced Debt Lawsuits Before Fatal Crash That Killed Six People by Pier 40
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (April 11, 2025) – A family of 5 from Spain and a pilot were killed in a New York City helicopter crash over the Hudson River near Manhattan.
New York City officials are saying that the incident took place around 3:15 PM in Manhattan, not far from the Hoboken border of New Jersey. Witnesses reported seeing the tail rotor and main blades come off of the helicopter before it plunged into the Hudson River by Pier 40.
Dozens of first responders were called to the scene. The helicopter involved in the crash was described as a Bell 206. It was being operated by a New York helicopter tour company.
Tragically, six people died in the crash, including a family from Spain. One of the victims has been identified as the CEO of Siemens.
The FAA is conducting an investigation to determine what went wrong. They will examine maintenance records of the helicopter.
There are also reports that the company that operated the helicopter faced several debt lawsuits before the fatal crash. In particular, they faced a lawsuit back in February after one lender said that they were owed 83,000.
Liability for New York City Helicopter Accidents
Jeff Korek and the attorneys at GLK Law have extensive experience handling aviation accidents. They represented the family of Carlos Berl who died in a plane crash during the production of American Made, starring Tom Cruise. This crash was entirely preventable and the result of unsafe working conditions and a failure to adhere to relevant safety protocols. Berl informed the production companies that he had insufficient flight experience with the aircraft being utilized. But his requests were ultimately ignored prior to the fatal collision. There tend to be many factors in common with aviation accidents.
- Human Error: Pilot error is by far one of the most common causes of aviation accidents. This can include miscommunication with air traffic control. It can also include failing to check critical systems before operation.
- Weather Conditions: Poor weather can substantially increase the odds of an aviation accident. This is particularly true with respect to helicopters that are more susceptible to high winds.
- Fuel Exhaustion: Another common cause of aviation accidents is fuel exhaustion. Pilots are obligated to ensure that they have enough fuel to complete their routes, but this does not always happen.
- Mechanical Failures: Planes and helicopters are complex pieces of machinery. They require routine inspections and maintenance in order to function properly.
The deadly crash over the Hudson River is followed just a few months after the helicopter crash in Washington D.C. that killed 64 people. According to Korek, several parties could face legal responsibility for the tragic loss of life in this crash. He told NTD News, “I don’t think there’s any question that the defendants in this case will be PSA Airlines, which is who operated the flight 5432, which is an Ohio corporation, fully owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group. Then there will also be a case against the United States for the Blackhawk.” Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for the helicopter crash over the Hudson River.
- Helicopter Company: The company that owned or operated the helicopter involved in the crash could face liability. As a general principle, companies are typically liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who are acting within the course and scope of their job duties.
- Maintenance Companies: Any accident where portions of an aircraft come off mid-flight raises serious questions about the maintenance of the aircraft. The company responsible for maintaining the helicopter could be liable if they failed to take reasonable measures to maintain the helicopter in a safe condition.
- Helicopter Manufacturer: Companies that design or manufacture helicopters have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. If a helicopter has design defects that contribute to a fatal collision, the company that created the helicopter could be held strictly liable.
Helicopter accidents are often highly preventable. In many circumstances, safety shortcuts are the root cause of numerous failures that led up to a crash. This is particularly true when a company is under financial pressure or taking aggressive measures in order to reduce costs. Maintaining an aircraft can be enormously expensive. It is therefore not surprising that improper maintenance and other safety lapses remain common causes of these accidents.
Investigating New York City Helicopter Accidents
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to the families of all of the victims killed in this crash. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Federal Aviation Administration. This was a tragedy that should have never taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the maintenance record of the helicopter involved in the crash? What was the safety history of this helicopter company in particular? Did financial pressures at the company compromise safety in any way?
Do you need more information about a helicopter crash in New York City? Our team of aviation accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. Our legal team has decades of experience handling aviation accident claims. We’ve also worked on some of the most high-profile cases across the country. It was our firm that handled the wrongful death lawsuit after the fatal plane crash during the making of American Made. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
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