Pilot Sean Johnson, Six Killed in Hudson River Helicopter Crash

On April 10, 2025, a sightseeing helicopter piloted by 36-year-old Sean Johnson tragically crashed into the Hudson River, resulting in the deaths of all six people on board, including a family of five from Spain celebrating a birthday. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter, a Bell 206, appear to disintegrate mid-air before plunging into the water. Johnson, a former Navy veteran with approximately 788 flight hours, had recently relocated to New York to advance his aviation career. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three children aged 4, 8, and 10. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which has raised safety concerns regarding similar helicopter tours. Johnson had shared a video just days prior to the accident, capturing moments of flying over Manhattan, which his friends noted as him 'living the dream.'