NTSB Report: Helicopter Disintegrated in Midair Over Hudson River

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary analysis concerning the tragic helicopter incident over the Hudson River that claimed six lives.

This in-depth six-page document provides insights into the catastrophic failure of the sightseeing aircraft, which included on board Agustin Escobar Canadas, a Siemens executive, and his family.

Details Uncovered by the Report

According to the report, the Bell 206L-4 helicopter, managed by New York Helicopter Tours, departed from Wall Street Heliport at 2:58 PM. Its route included a pass by the Statue of Liberty and up the east side of the Hudson River. Following a turn near the George Washington Bridge, the helicopter began heading south along the New Jersey shoreline.

Approximately 17 minutes into the flight, at around 3:15 PM, the helicopter reached an altitude varying between 625 and 675 feet. Suddenly, the helicopter's main body began to rock from side to side, leading to the complete detachment of its tail boom.

Witnesses reported a series of loud 'bangs' from the helicopter moments before it fell apart and went into the river, the report states.

Midair Disintegration: What the Report Highlights

The helicopter's disassembly in flight resulted in three large pieces: the fuselage with the engine, the main rotor system, and the tail boom. Although images released by the NTSB are not clear, they indicate this segmentation.

No recording devices were installed on the helicopter, but images from just before takeoff indicate the pilot wore sunglasses capable of capturing audio and video. Unfortunately, these sunglasses are yet to be located.

The report stops short of identifying the reason for the tail boom's separation from the helicopter.