Witnesses Describe Helicopter ‘Breaking Apart’ Before Crashing Into Hudson River Between Manhattan and New Jersey Waterfront
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (April 10, 2025) – At least six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, have tragically died in a Manhattan, New York helicopter accident over the Hudson River.
New York City officials are saying the incident began around 3 PM at a downtown heliport. Witnesses describe seeing the helicopter fall apart midair as it was flying over the Hudson River.
The tail and propeller both reportedly came off before the helicopter plunged into the river not far from Pier 40. Rescue boats began their rescue efforts shortly after the crash.
Rescue efforts remain ongoing at this time, but it has been confirmed that six people have lost their lives. Some of the passengers onboard have been identified as a family of tourists from Spain.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the helicopter involved in the collision was a Bell 206. This aircraft is commonly used in both government and commercial aviation.
A full investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Manhattan Helicopter Accidents
Helicopter accidents are relatively rare in New York City. According to NBC New York, “The Associated Press reported that, as of 2019, at least 32 people died in helicopter accidents in New York City since 1977 when restrictions were placed on where choppers could land in the area.” Helicopters are slightly safer than general aviation involving small non-commercial aircraft. But they are involved in far more crashes per flight than commercial airliners. There are a number of factors that may contribute to helicopter crashes.
- Pilot Error: One of the most common causes of helicopter crashes is pilot error. This can include mistakes during takeoff or landing.
- Weather Conditions: Unlike aircraft that rely on propulsion, helicopters are much more vulnerable to poor weather conditions. High winds can easily disorient pilots.
- Wire Collisions: It is hard for pilots to see power lines. Any collision with a power line is likely to result in a crash.
- Mechanical Failures: Helicopters are complex pieces of machinery. Any malfunction with the rotors, hydraulics, engine, or other parts could easily lead to a catastrophic failure.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for a helicopter crash. This includes the company responsible for operating a sightseeing helicopter. As a general principle, companies are responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. According to Judith M. v. Sisters of Charity Hosp., 93 N.Y.2d 932, 933 (1999) respondeat superior will apply “so long as the tortious conduct is generally foreseeable and a natural incident of the employment.” This can include instances where helicopters are being used to transport passengers.
The company that created a helicopter could also potentially be liable for a collision. In particular, Bell Helicopter, the creator of the Bell 206, has faced several product liability claims after crashes. Consider, for example, ARIS HELICOPTERS, LTD., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. ALLISON GAS TURBINE; General Motors Corporation; Bell Helicopter, Defendants-Appellees. Attorneys of the plaintiff argued that the crash was the result of the helicopter being defectively designed and manufactured. There are many different design defects with a Bell 206 that could contribute to a catastrophic collision.
- Driveshaft Failure: If the driveshaft that connects the main gearbox with the tail rotor disconnects or fails for some reason, this could cause the helicopter to crash.
- Main Rotor Strike: The tail and rotor boom may have collided due to being insufficiently separated.
- Control System Linkage: Any type of loss of control of the main rotor or tail rotor could cause a helicopter to spin out of control.
- Insufficient Protections: A helicopter may have lacked sufficient protection from bird strikes in key areas.
It can be hard to know what to do after any helicopter crash. These accidents tend to leave victims with catastrophic injuries and often result in fatalities. To make matters worse, companies that operate helicopters will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility. This is why it is so important that any helicopter crash is thoroughly investigated by an outside party. The family of any person who died in a helicopter collision may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating New York City Helicopter Crashes
We at GLK Law extend our deepest condolences to all of the families of the deceased following this Hudson River helicopter crash. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Federal Aviation Administration. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be averted. Many questions remain unanswered at this time.
Do you need more information about a Manhattan helicopter accident? Our team of aviation accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims of helicopter crashes understand their legal rights and protecting those rights. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
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