The pilot of the helicopter that crashed into New York’s Hudson River has been identified as Sean Johnson, a Navy SEAL veteran turned aviator.
The tragic crash occurred at 3:17 p.m. Eastern Time on April 10. According to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the aircraft was operated by New York Helicopters. All six individuals onboard lost their lives in the accident.
The victims have been confirmed as Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive from Barcelona, Spain; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal; and their three children, aged 11, 5, and 4.
Pilot Sean Johnson had a decorated past serving as a Navy SEAL before transitioning to a career in aviation. Prior to flying, he also worked as a celebrity bodyguard. He moved to New York to pursue his passion for flying.
The helicopter’s owner, 71-year-old Michael Roth, spoke to The Telegraph about Johnson’s final moments before the crash: “He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel. It should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive.”
Johnson’s wife, Kathryn Johnson, spoke briefly to The Gothamist following the devastating news: “I’m just at a loss for words. I don’t even know what happened. It’s just hard right now.”
Tributes have begun pouring in for Johnson, including from his former co-pilot, Earl Watters, who posted an emotional message on Facebook: “With a heavy heart I post this… The pilot of the helicopter crash in NY was my co-pilot and great friend on Boomer last year, Sean Johnson. The world has lost an all-around great person and amazing friend. He definitely changed my life for the better.”
Eyewitnesses also described the harrowing moment the helicopter went down. One witness, Max, told ABC News: “It sounded like a sonic boom. I looked up and saw the helicopter split in two, with the rotor flying off. It just went straight into the water.”
He added that no debris surfaced immediately afterward, and within minutes, emergency services arrived at the scene. “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life,” he said.
The crash is now under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will assess the cause of the mechanical failure and the events leading up to the accident.
READ MORE
- Witnesses describe sound as helicopter slammed into Hudson River
- Operator of NYC helicopter crash had prior mechanical failures
