Helicopter rotor retrieved after deadly Hudson River crash, ending recovery efforts

NEW YORK (TNND) — The rotor of the Bell 206 helicopter from last week’s deadly crash into the Hudson River has been retrieved, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Divers from the New York Police Department worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Jersey City Office of Emergency Management to find, recover and secure the helicopter’s main rotor system, including the transmission and the roof beam, a statement read.

“They also recovered the tail rotor system,” officials added.

The main fuselage, which includes the cockpit and cabin, were recovered shortly after the crash, the NTSB said.

“The evidence will be taken to a secure location for further examination,” according to authorities. “Recovery efforts are now finished.”

The NTSB is still asking any witnesses to the crash to send video or photos “of any aspect of the accident sequence or have information that could be relevant to the investigation.”

New York Helicopter Tours in New York City ceased operations immediately a few days after the sightseeing chopper broke apart midair and crashed upside down into the Hudson River.

“We will continue to support @NTSB’s investigation. Additionally, the FAA will be launching an immediate review of the tour operator’s license and safety record,” the FAA wrote on X.

The victims included passengers Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, 39, and their three children, Victor, 4, Mercedes, 8, and Agustin, 10. The pilot was Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who received his commercial pilot’s license in 2023.

On Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) emphasized that officials will not speculate on a preliminary cause until comprehensive evidence is collected.

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