Helicopter falls apart midair in New York (VIDEOS)

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Manhattan’s Pier 40 on Thursday afternoon. Dramatic videos show the aircraft breaking apart midair before plunging into the water.

All six people on board were killed; the incident occurred at around 3:15pm local time, New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed during a press conference. The victims were later identified as Agustin Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spain, his wife, and their three children aged 4, 5 and 11, as well as the 36-year-old pilot.

Eyewitness footage shared on social media captured the moment the Bell 206 helicopter’s main rotor and tail boom separated while still airborne. The rotor blades, fully detached from the fuselage, could be seen continuing to spin as they fell separately from the body of the aircraft, before both sections struck the water.

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed that multiple rescue boats responded to the scene, surrounding the mostly submerged, upside-down helicopter. Initial reports indicated that the pilot was pulled from the water alive, though the full casualty count remains unconfirmed.

Authorities subsequently urged the public to avoid the area near West Side Highway and Spring Street due to emergency operations and traffic disruptions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet determined what led to the apparent in-flight breakup.