A tragic air accident occurred in Manhattan, where six people lost their lives in the crash of a helicopter flying over the Hudson River. The victims include the pilot and five passengers on board: Agustín Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children aged four, five, and 11. The 36-year-old pilot of the Bell 206 helicopter from New York Helicopters, who has not been identified yet, also perished in the accident.
Escobar had been appointed head of the Siemens division for Spain and Southwestern Europe in 2022, as per a press release from the company. The family had arrived in New York from Barcelona, as reported by two Spanish officials to ABC News.
The causes of the tragedy are still unknown, with the incident occurring around 3:17 pm local time. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct investigations. This morning, global media outlets shared a short video captured by a bystander showing the helicopter plunging into the water. Images of the overturned aircraft surrounded by rescue teams quickly circulated on social media, but unfortunately, no lives could be saved.
This is yet another incident in the busy skies above the Big Apple, where airplanes and helicopters are used for private, tourist, and commercial flights. Manhattan boasts several heliports that transport executives and individuals to various destinations in the metropolitan area. Scenic helicopter tours are also popular. The tragedy raises questions about aviation safety once again.
Several previous incidents have occurred. One of the recent accidents dates back to 2018 when five people died onboard a private helicopter that crashed into the East River. In 2009, a collision between a helicopter and a Piper aircraft claimed the lives of nine individuals, including five Italian tourists flying over the Hudson. The same year witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” where two heroic pilots successfully landed an Airbus A320 disabled by a bird strike on the river, saving all 155 passengers on board.
At Washington’s Ronald Reagan Airport, a potential air incident was averted when an American Airlines plane carrying at least three Congress members was struck by another aircraft’s wingtip on the taxiway. Ynet news reported that two former Gaza hostages, Keith and Aviva Siegel, were also onboard one of the planes. Fortunately, there were no injuries, only minor damages to a small wing on each aircraft. This incident will increase scrutiny on air traffic management at the capital’s airport, known for its bustling runway, and recently marred by a military helicopter and commercial plane collision resulting in 67 casualties.
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