ByEyewitness News
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 3:18AM
Mike Marza has the latest developments.
LOWER MANHATTAN (WABC) — The main rotor and roof structure from the deadly helicopter crash last week have been recovered from the Hudson River.
It could be the most important piece of evidence yet and is now in the hands of the NTSB after it was pulled from the water Monday.
“Key components of the Bell 206 L-4 helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last week were recovered Monday, greatly aiding the National Transportation Safety Boards investigation into the fatal accident,” the NTSB statement said, in part.
The statement noted recovery efforts are now finished.
The NTSB credited the New York Police Department, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management.
Video from NewsCopter 7 shows the rotor.
It comes after New York Helicopter Tours — the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson River — has grounded all its flights as the investigation unfolds.
On Monday night the FAA issued an emergency order banning operations by the company involved.
Six people were killed, including three children, when a tourist helicopter plunged into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday afternoon.
In the wake of the deadly incident, the FAA said it will also be launching an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record.
The agency said it is analyzing airplane and helicopter hotspots nationwide and will be hosting a helicopter safety panel on April 22 to discuss the findings, risks and additional mitigation options.
“Safety is the FAA’s number one priority, and we will not hesitate to act to protect the flying public,” the agency said in a statement on Sunday.
The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, and a family visiting from Spain, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan on April 11.
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Agustin Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, both executives from the European automation company Siemens and their children — aged 4, 5 and 11 years old — were killed in the crash along with the pilot, aged 36, law enforcement sources told ABC News at the time.
The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. off the coast of River Drive in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall St. Heliport. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said during the briefing.
“Our hearts go out to the family and those on board,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said after the incident.
Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. Officials said it hit the water inverted.
The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing its investigation into the incident.
Officials say the helicopter’s last major inspection was on March 1. Before the crash, the helicopter had completed seven tour flights. The accident occurred during the eighth flight of the day.
Investigators have begun evaluating the flight control systems of the helicopter at a secure location.
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Some information from ABC News and The Associated Press
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