Sean Johnson, a former Navy SEAL turned pilot, was at the controls of the sightseeing helicopter that tragically crashed into the Hudson River, claiming six lives, including a family of five.
A devastating crash on the Hudson: What we know so far
On Thursday, April 10, a sightseeing helicopter operated by New York Helicopters plummeted into the Hudson River at approximately 3:17 PM EST, resulting in a catastrophic accident that killed all six individuals on board.
Among the deceased were Agustín Escobar, a Siemens executive from Barcelona, Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children aged 11, 5, and 4.
The final victim, now confirmed as the pilot, was Sean Johnson, a Navy SEAL veteran and experienced aviator.
Former Navy SEAL turned pilot sean Johnson confirmed as crash victim
Authorities have now confirmed the pilot was Sean Johnson, who previously served in the U.S.
Johnson served as a Navy SEAL before transitioning into civilian aviation, following a stint as a celebrity bodyguard. He was employed by New York Helicopters and was well respected by both colleagues and passengers.
His wife, Kathryn Johnson, shared her heartbreak in a statement to Gothamist:
“I’m just at a loss for words. I don’t even know what happened. It’s just hard right now.”
Johnson’s co-pilot and friend, Earl Watters, expressed his grief on Facebook:
“The world has lost an all-around great person and amazing friend… Always and forever a BOOMER crew member. Godspeed, Amigo.”
The final moments: Fuel alert and eyewitness accounts
The aircraft’s owner, Michael Roth, 71, revealed to The Telegraph that Johnson had reported low fuel and radioed for landing clearance just minutes before the crash.
“He called in that he was landing and that he needed fuel, and it should have taken him about three minutes to arrive, but 20 minutes later, he didn’t arrive,” Roth said.
Eyewitness Max, speaking with ABC News, described the horrific moment the helicopter broke apart mid-air:
“It sounded like a sonic boom. I saw the helicopter split in two. The rotor flew off fast, and the body just dropped straight into the water… I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
He speculated the rotor may have separated from the aircraft before impact, which aligns with initial expert theories that mechanical failure may have occurred.
Investigation underway as questions surround rotor malfunction
Following the tragedy, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it would conduct a full investigation into the crash.
Experts believe a mechanical failure involving the main rotor system could have caused the aircraft to disintegrate mid-flight.
Witness descriptions of the rotor detaching from the fuselage before the crash suggest a catastrophic malfunction — one that left the helicopter unrecoverable.
While the New York Police Department and emergency dive teams have recovered some wreckage, a full recovery and mechanical analysis are pending.
A legacy of service and a tragic end
Sean Johnson’s legacy as a veteran, aviator, and protector will be remembered by those who flew with him and served beside him.
Tributes have poured in from both military and aviation communities, honoring his dedication and professionalism.
This crash has reignited concerns about safety protocols in the sightseeing helicopter industry and raised questions about aircraft maintenance, fuel checks, and oversight — all of which will be closely examined in the coming weeks.