Overview
- The tourist Bell 206L-4 crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, killing five members of a Spanish/Catalan family and the pilot.
- Mid-July 2026 investigation files released by the NTSB include Smithsonian feather‑identification results that match a mixed flock of Brant and Canada geese to bird remains found on rotor components.
- Witness statements and surveillance audio/video in the files describe loud bangs and show the helicopter breaking into three main sections before it fell from the sky.
- The NTSB has made these forensic findings public but has not yet issued a final probable‑cause determination and the formal inquiry remains open.
- Relatives have filed a civil negligence suit accusing the tour operator and owner of failing to properly inspect and maintain the rotor blades, and the FAA warns low‑altitude sightseeing helicopters are especially vulnerable to bird strikes which can be catastrophic.