Tragic Video Footage Emerges of Hudson River Helicopter Crash

A helicopter crash into the Hudson River in Manhattan has killed a family of five and their pilot, with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigating the cause of the catastrophic failure. The Bell 206 helicopter, operated by New York Helicopter, broke apart in midair 25 minutes into its tour of Manhattan, killing pilot Sean Johnson and the visiting Spanish family.

The pilot, 36-year-old Sean Johnson, was a Navy veteran who had recently moved to New York City to pursue his aviation career. Johnson had previously flown in Chicago and had posted about his flying experiences on Facebook. His wife, Kathryn, said they had been separated for a few months but were still close, and that Johnson had always wanted to fly. The crash has raised concerns about the safety of helicopter flights in the city, with local lawmakers and activists calling for a ban on nonessential helicopter flights.

Aviation experts believe the main rotor may have detached due to a mechanical issue, with the "Jesus nut," a critical component that holds the main rotor to the mast, identified as a potential key piece of evidence. Regular checks of the "Jesus nut" are standard procedure, but it appears that this one was either defective or not properly tightened, leading to the catastrophic failure. The company that operated the helicopter, New York Helicopter, has declined to comment, and the FAA has asked witnesses to submit any relevant information.

The incident has sparked a debate about the safety of helicopter flights in the city, with Mayor Eric Adams defending the flights as part of the city's economy and tourism. However, the crash has raised concerns about the risks associated with these flights, and the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. A video of the crash has emerged, showing the helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the river.