NYC’s chopper curse: Another helicopter plunges into Hudson, killing 6 — a look at helicopter crashes in the past

In yet another tragic helicopter crash, six people, including the pilot died after a chopper spinned out of control, and crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, local time. Siemens CEO and president Agustin Escobar, his wife, and three children were onboard the helicopter at the time of the crash, all of whom were killed.

The horrifying incident added to the already long list of casualties in helicopter crashes that New York City has seen over the past 48 years.

At least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in NYC since 1977, according to The Associated Press. 

Worst helicopter crashes in New York City

Here's a look at New York City's troubled past, blemished with helicopter crashes:

1977: Sikorsky S-61L helicopter crash

In 1977, a tragic accident occurred atop the Pan Am Building (now the MetLife Building at 200 Park Avenue) when the landing gear of a Sikorsky S-61L helicopter malfunctioned as passengers were preparing to board. The aircraft tipped onto its side, and the spinning rotor blades struck and killed four people, including film director Michael Findlay, and injured another. A fragment of the broken blade plunged to the street below, killing one pedestrian and injuring another.

1985: Dauphin 360C helicopter crash

Eight years after the Sikorky crash, a Dauphin 360C helicopter operated by New York Helicopter—a company based in Garden City, Long Island—crash-landed in the East River while carrying six passengers. One man, a 40-year-old businessman from West Germany, was killed. The remaining five passengers and two crew members survived.

1986: Reporter dies in middle of show after helicopter crashes

In 1986, WNBC traffic reporter Jane Dornacker tragically died during a live afternoon broadcast when her helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near 45th Street.

At 4:46 pm, Dornacker was mid-report, telling listeners, “New Jersey, the outbound Lincoln Tunnel looks a lot better for you.” She began to repeat, “In New Jersey…” before abruptly falling silent, according to The New York Times. Moments later, the radio audience heard her frantic final words: “Hit the water! Hit the water! Hit the water!”

1997: Colgate -Palmolive helicopter crash

In 1997, a six-seat BK-117 helicopter owned by the Colgate-Palmolive Company crashed into the East River shortly after taking off from the 60th Street heliport. The accident claimed the life of Craig Tate, the company’s chief technical officer, and seriously injured another executive.

2009: Eurocopter crash

A Eurocopter AS350 tourist helicopter operated by Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours collided with a small private plane over the Hudson River near Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken, killing all nine people aboard both aircraft.

The helicopter was carrying five Italian tourists—identified by the news agency ANSA as Tiziana Pedrone, Fabio Gallazzi, Giacomo Gallazzi, Michele Norelli, and Filippo Norelli.

2018: Another Eurocopter crash

Nearly a decade later, another Eurocopter AS350 crashed into the East River, killing five passengers. Two died at the scene, while three others were pronounced dead at the hospital. The pilot, Richard Vance, survived. A jury later awarded $116 million to the victims’ families in a lawsuit against both the company and Vance.

2020: Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash

One of the most tragic and widely remembered helicopter crashes in recent years claimed the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others when their helicopter went down near Calabasas, California. A subsequent report by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the pilot became “spatially disoriented” after flying into thick clouds, leading to the fatal crash.

Siemens CEO, family killed in Hudson River helicopter crash

Among the six killed in the Hudson River helicopter crash that shook the nation, one victim was identified as Siemens CEO and president Agustin Escobar. 

According to authorities, four victims were declared dead at the scene, while two others passed away at the hospital.