The tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last year, killing a family of five and the pilot, likely went down after striking a flock of birds, according to an NTSB report released Thursday.<\/p>\n
The remains of several geese were discovered on the wreckage of the doomed chopper that broke into three pieces and plunged into the river on April 10, 2025, the National Transportation Safety Board said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The National Transportation Safety Board described evidence and witness reports that suggest the helicopter struck several birds before it plummeted into the river on April 10, 2025. Bruce Wall<\/p>\n
Evidence and witness reports suggested the New York Helicopter Tours chopper struck several birds before the wreck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A severed bird wing and other ornithological remains were found near the helicopter\u2019s wreckage and on a nearby building rooftop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The family who died in the tragic crash was visiting from Spain. Joan Camprub\u00ed Montal<\/p>\n
The remnants of the stricken birds \u2014 which included a great black-backed gull, brant geese, and canadian geese \u2014 were analyzed by the members of the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s Feather Identification Lab, the report said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Last year, a preliminary NTSB report described that witnesses heard \u201cloud bangs\u201d moments before the deadly crash \u2014 which took place a mere 17 minutes after it took flight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The pilot was Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who received his commercial pilot\u2019s license in 2023. NY Post Design<\/p>\n
Helicopters are especially vulnerable to bird strikes since they fly at lower altitudes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Bell 206 chopper took off from Manhattan\u2019s Downtown Skyport with Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merc\u00e8 Camprub\u00ed Montal, and their three young children \u2014 Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 \u2014 on board.<\/p>\n
Scene of a helicopter crash into the Hudson River near Pier 40 on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Obtained by the NY Post<\/p>\n