The remains of several geese were found on the wreckage of a sightseeing helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last year in New York City and , investigators said Thursday.
The National Transportation Safety Board reports released Thursday describe evidence and witness reports suggesting the helicopter struck several birds before it plummeted into the river on April 10, 2025.
The Federal Aviation Administration has said that helicopters are especially vulnerable to bird strikes because they fly at low altitudes. Helicopter bird strikes are unusual, but they can be devastating.
The victims of last year鈥檚 accident included a Siemens and the pilot. Passengers Agustin Escobar, 49; his wife, Merc猫 Camprub铆 Montal, 39; and their three children, Victor, 4; Mercedes, 8; and Agustin, 10, all died. The pilot was Seankese Johnson, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who received his commercial pilot鈥檚 license in 2023. The crash about the popular sightseeing flights and prompted New Jersey鈥檚 governor for additional restrictions on nonessential helicopter flights.
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