As divers persist in utilizing side-scanning sonar technology to search the Hudson River for wreckage from the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six individuals, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released significant updates regarding the aircraft's condition. According to the NTSB, the helicopter was not equipped with any flight recorders, which could have provided critical data for the ongoing investigation.
In a recent investigation update on Saturday evening, the NTSB confirmed that no onboard video recorders or camera recorders have been recovered from the crash site. Furthermore, the avionics onboard did not capture any information that could assist investigators in determining the cause of the accident. This absence of data poses challenges for authorities as they work to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
The NTSB reported that the helicopter underwent its last major inspection on March 1. Prior to the accident, the aircraft had completed seven tour flights and was on its eighth flight when the crash occurred. This timeline is crucial for understanding the operational history of the helicopter and evaluating any potential mechanical issues.
According to the agency, divers have successfully recovered several key components of the helicopter, including the main fuselage, cockpit, cabin, forward portion of the tail boom, horizontal stabilizer finlets, and the vertical fin. Some of these recovered parts will be sent to the NTSB lab in Washington, D.C., for further analysis. Recovery operations are ongoing, with divers actively searching for additional pieces of the helicopter, such as the main rotor, main gearbox, tail rotor, and a significant section of the tail boom. The NTSB has announced that these recovery efforts will continue into Sunday.
The tragic accident involved a family from Jersey City, including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, 49; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39; and their three children, aged 4, 8, and 10. The family was visiting New York City to join Escobar during his business trip, as reported by Jersey City Mayor Fulop. Notably, the crash occurred just one day before the 8-year-old's birthday, a heartbreaking detail highlighted by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Also among the victims was the helicopter's pilot, Seankese Sam Johnson, 36, who had a commendable military background and had accumulated 788 hours of total flight time. Friends and colleagues have described Johnson as an incredible individual. Matt Klier, a fellow helicopter pilot and friend from the Navy, expressed admiration for Johnson's character and skills.
The fatal crash occurred on Thursday at 3:17 p.m., just over 15 minutes into the helicopter's flight. Officials stated that the helicopter had reached the George Washington Bridge before making a turn southward and ultimately crashing into the river. The investigation into this unfortunate incident continues as authorities work diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding the crash.
ABC News contributors Leah Sarnoff, Sam Sweeney, and Erin Murtha have provided valuable insights into this developing story.
