NTSB Confirms Hudson Helicopter Crash Lacked Flight Recorders, Six Dead

The Bell 206 L-4 helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all six individuals onboard, had completed seven flights that day and lacked essential flight recording devices. The victims included a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot, with all bodies recovered by divers. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that no video or audio recordings were found on the aircraft, complicating the investigation. The helicopter's last major inspection occurred on March 1, and prior to the crash, it had experienced mechanical issues, raising concerns about the operator's safety management practices. Recovery operations are ongoing as investigators search for missing parts of the helicopter, including the main rotor and tail boom. The NTSB is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration and the helicopter's manufacturer to determine the crash's cause.