A Navy veteran who had recently moved to New York City to pursue a career as a helicopter pilot was among six people killed Thursday when a sightseeing flight crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City.
Sean Johnson, 36, was flying a Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter when the aircraft’s main rotor detached midair, causing it to fall upside down into the river. All six people on board died.
Hudson River helicopter #planecrash #disaster #BreakingNews #FAA: The Hudson River Bell 206L LongRanger helicopter crash. 6 dead. Here we see the helicopter splashing into the Hudson River next to New Jersey and then the rotor splashes a few moments later. pic.twitter.com/LNjlVJqcE9
— USAS: Weather, Aviation, Celebrities 🇺🇲🌊🌪️ (@USAS_WW1) April 10, 2025
The passengers were a Spanish family visiting the U.S.: 49-year-old Siemens executive Agustín Escobar Cañadas, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three children: Víctor, Agustín, and Mercedes. The family was in New York to celebrate a birthday.
According to Gothamist, Johnson served in the Navy as a SEAL technician. After leaving the military, he worked various jobs, including on television and as a bodyguard. About five years ago, he saved enough money to attend flight school.
“He always wanted to fly,” his wife Kathryn told the Gothamist.
Before the crash, Johnson shared a video on Facebook on March 27, showing himself flying a Bell 206 helicopter over Lower Manhattan. Friends congratulated him in the comments. He had previously flown in Chicago.
Johnson’s friends, former colleagues, and fellow service members took to social media to share their condolences.
Remi Adeleke, a former Navy SEAL and longtime friend, said he met Johnson during their military service and encouraged him to pursue flying. “He came from humble beginnings but he never let that define or limit him,” Adeleke wrote on Instagram.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the recent crash.
Peter Goelz, former NTSB managing director, told CNN the failure was “catastrophic and very unusual.” Investigators are reviewing aircraft records, company history, and video from the crash.
According to The New York Times, helicopters operated by New York Helicopter have suffered mechanical failures on at least two occasions over the past 12 years.
