A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board. The crash happened shortly after takeoff near lower Manhattan, in full view of the city’s busy waterfront.

Among the victims were a Spanish family of five, including three children, and the pilot, who was based in New York. The group had rented the helicopter for a private sightseeing trip.

Witnesses Describe Horror in the Sky

People nearby described the moment the aircraft began to break apart. One witness, Bruce Wall, said he saw the helicopter “come apart” mid-flight. He added that the rotor blades kept spinning even after they detached from the rest of the aircraft.

Another witness, Lesly Camacho, said the helicopter spun wildly out of control before crashing into the river. She also said smoke was coming from the aircraft as it fell.

Video clips posted on social media show parts of the aircraft hitting the water. The helicopter then flipped over and quickly sank. Emergency crews arrived at the scene just minutes later.

Quick Response, But No Survivors

The helicopter has been identified as a Bell 206, a small, single-engine aircraft that can hold up to seven people. It crashed close to a ventilation pier near the Holland Tunnel, on the New Jersey side of the river.

Firefighters, rescue boats, and police divers quickly responded. All six bodies were pulled from the water. None of the passengers survived.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have started formal investigations. Officials are looking at all possible causes, including mechanical failure, weather conditions, and pilot error.

Urban Airspace Under Scrutiny Again

The skies over New York City are known for their heavy helicopter traffic. Tour flights, business trips, and even aerial photoshoots happen daily. But with every crash, questions about safety grow louder.

This tragic crash is not the first of its kind. In 2009, a sightseeing helicopter collided with a small private plane over the Hudson River. That accident killed nine people.

In 2018, five people died after a chartered helicopter crashed into the East River during an open-door photography flight. The pilot survived by escaping from a harness that had trapped the others.

Thursday’s crash is now the latest in a string of deadly helicopter accidents in and around New York City.

Calls for Change Are Growing

Many city leaders, safety experts, and residents have called for stricter rules on helicopters flying in urban areas. Some want limits on sightseeing flights. Others are pushing for full bans on non-essential flights over densely populated zones.

“This is not just about this one crash,” said aviation safety analyst Rachel Goldstein. “We’ve seen far too many of these accidents. It’s time to rethink the risks we’re taking with air travel in crowded city skies.”

Lawmakers in New York and Washington have previously proposed new rules, but so far, no major laws have passed. Some critics say the tourism industry’s influence has helped block stronger regulations.

Helicopter Use Still Popular Despite Risks

Even after several high-profile crashes, helicopters remain popular in New York. Tourists use them to see landmarks from above. Executives use them to skip city traffic. News crews use them to cover breaking events. But the mix of high demand and complex city airspace makes flying risky.

Most helicopter flights are safe. But when something goes wrong, the consequences can be deadly. Crashes in rivers, on rooftops, or even in crowded streets have happened before.

A Painful Reminder for Aviation Officials

The recent tragedy comes just a few months after another deadly crash shook the nation. In January, a commercial jet crashed in Washington, D.C., killing 67 passengers. These back-to-back incidents have fueled nationwide calls for better aviation oversight and improved safety checks.

Experts now fear the system may be under too much pressure. “We’re seeing more crashes, more near-misses, and more reports of mechanical problems,” said aviation consultant Marcus Lee. “That should be a warning sign.”

The investigation into the Hudson River crash will take weeks or even months. Investigators will examine flight records, maintenance logs, and the pilot’s background. They will also look closely at witness video and any parts of the helicopter recovered from the river.

For now, the focus is on the families of the victims and the urgent need to prevent future tragedies. New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered condolences and said the city would “do everything in its power” to support the investigation.

As the debate over urban helicopter use continues, this latest crash may be the moment that forces real change.