1 week Ago By ARA
Updates on the case of the helicopter that crashed Thursday into New York's Hudson River with five Catalans on board. The aircraft had no incident-recording instruments, no video recorders, no onboard cameras, and no aircraft system capable of recording information for the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. These absences hamper the work to uncover the cause of the tragic accident.
So far, according to the latest investigation update, the NTSB has been able to confirm the recovery of several parts of the aircraft, such as the main fuselage, including the cockpit and passenger cabin, the forward part of the tailpipe, and the stabilizer fins. They have also begun evaluating the helicopter's flight control system. However, parts of the helicopter are still missing.
New York Police Department divers continue their search Sunday for the helicopter's main rotor, main gearbox, tail rotor, and much of the tail boom. They are using side-scan sonar to identify possible wreckage locations. Inspected a month ago So far, NTSB officials have met with representatives of the helicopter's operator, New York Helicopter Charter Inc.
, to review operating records, policies and procedures, safety management systems, and pilot experience. Investigators also examined two test helicopters. Regarding the last major inspection of the helicopter, the NTSB has determined that the last time the crashed aircraft underwent a major examination was on March 1.
The investigation also indicates that the flight carrying former Siemens CEO in Spain Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí, and their three children was the eighth flight the helicopter had made that day. Message from the families While the investigation continues, the victims' families have arrived in the United States. This Saturday, in fact, Mercè Camprubí's brother appeared before the media accompanied by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
From across the Hudson River, Camprubí explained that the family is "trying to assimilate" the situation. He expressed his gratitude for the "massive" outpouring of support received from both society and Spanish, Catalan, and American institutions, as well as from Siemens, where Agustín Escobar was a senior executive. "They left together, without suffering and with a smile on their faces," said Camprubí, who concluded his speech in Catalan: "You will always be with us and in our hearts.
We will never forget you and we will keep your smile alive every day of our lives." New York City Mayor Eric Adams also sent his condolences to the families. Before the press conference, Adams accompanied Camprubí to the exact scene of the accident to lay flowers.
The families of the victims traveled to New York to complete the necessary procedures to repatriate the bodies "as soon as possible.".
