A tragic helicopter crash in New York has claimed the lives of six individuals, including a family of five from Spain and the American pilot. The sightseeing helicopter went down in the Hudson River near the New Jersey shoreline on Thursday, less than 20 minutes after taking off from a Manhattan heliport.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke streaming from the aircraft, followed by debris falling from the sky moments before the helicopter slammed into the water. Rescue teams, including divers and emergency boats, rushed to the scene and managed to retrieve all bodies and most of the wreckage by nightfall.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation and has confirmed that the helicopter experienced a mid-air breakup. Critical components of the aircraft remain missing, making it difficult to determine the exact cause of the crash in the early stages of the probe.

Among the victims were a Spanish couple and their three children, all visiting New York on vacation. The pilot, a former U.S. Navy veteran, was highly experienced, adding to the growing mystery surrounding the catastrophic failure.

Authorities are now examining maintenance records, flight logs, and possible mechanical issues. They are also reviewing past safety complaints and previous incidents involving New York Helicopter, the company that operated the ill-fated aircraft. The company has faced scrutiny in recent years due to its safety practices and regulatory compliance issues.

This devastating accident comes amid a troubling pattern of aviation-related incidents in the United States. From small aircraft crashes to emergency landings and technical malfunctions, experts are urging a review of safety protocols, especially for tourism-based aviation companies operating in high-density urban areas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also supporting the investigation and has grounded similar models used for sightseeing tours until further notice.

As tributes pour in for the victims, especially the young children who perished, pressure is mounting on regulators and tour operators to prioritize safety over profit. The Hudson River crash is now being seen not just as a tragic accident, but as a wake-up call for the entire industry.