Navy SEAL Pilot’s Chilling Final Call Before Hudson River Tragedy

Navy SEAL Veteran’s Last Words Before Fatal Hudson River Helicopter Crash

A routine helicopter tour over New York City’s iconic skyline turned into an unimaginable tragedy when former Navy SEAL Seankese ‘Sean’ Johnson, 36, made a final radio call before his aircraft plummeted into the Hudson River. The devastating crash claimed the lives of all onboard, including a Spanish family of five who had traveled to the US to celebrate a special birthday.

The victims have been identified as Spanish tourists Agustín Escobar and Mercè Camprubí Montal, along with their three young children: Agustín, 10, Mercè, 8, and Víctor, just 4 years old. What was meant to be a joyful celebration of Ms. Camprubí’s birthday instead ended in heartbreak as their sightseeing helicopter broke apart above the waters off Manhattan.

The Chilling Final Radio Call

In a haunting revelation, Michael Roth, the 71-year-old owner of New York Helicopter, has shared details of the pilot’s final communication. Johnson had radioed base with what seemed like a routine message – they were returning to the helipad to refuel.

“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 did not arrive,” Roth told The Telegraph. This simple communication has become a chilling final message in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The helicopter was airborne for just 15 minutes before it crashed into the Hudson River at high speed around 3:15 pm on Thursday, April 10. Eyewitnesses and recovered footage show the horrifying moment when the aircraft’s rotor separated from the body as it nose-dived into the water, sending debris flying through the air.

A Company in Mourning

Roth expressed the profound grief that has overtaken his company following the disaster. “We are all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying,” he shared, revealing the emotional toll the accident has taken on those connected to New York Helicopter.

The owner recounted the chaotic moments as news of the crash began to spread. “I got a call from my manager and my downtown heliport and she said she heard there was a crash, and then my phone blew up from everybody. Then one of my pilots flew over the Hudson and saw the helicopter upside down.”

Final Flight Path Before Disaster

Radar data has provided some insight into the helicopter’s movements before the crash. The aircraft flew north along the Manhattan skyline and then turned south toward the Statue of Liberty before the fatal incident occurred closer to the New Jersey side of the river.

While the disaster remains under investigation by aviation authorities, an official cause has not yet been confirmed. Experts will be examining whether mechanical failure, fuel issues, weather conditions, or other factors contributed to the catastrophic crash.

Remembering Sean Johnson: The Pilot Behind the Controls

As the investigation continues, tributes have begun pouring in for pilot Sean Johnson, whose background as a Navy SEAL speaks to a life of service before his career in aviation. Remi Adeleke, who mentored the late pilot, has taken to Instagram to mourn his loss, highlighting the impact Johnson had on those who knew him.

Johnson’s military background and training make the circumstances of the crash all the more perplexing to those familiar with his skills and experience. Friends and colleagues describe him as a meticulous professional, raising further questions about what could have gone so catastrophically wrong during what should have been a routine tourist flight.

A Family’s Dream Vacation Ended in Tragedy

Perhaps most heartbreaking is the story of the Escobar-Camprubí family, who had traveled from Spain for what should have been a memorable celebration. The helicopter tour was likely intended as a highlight of their trip—a chance to see New York’s breathtaking skyline from an unforgettable vantage point.

Instead, their story has become a devastating reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike. The loss of an entire family, including three young children with their futures ahead of them, has resonated deeply with people around the world, particularly in their home country of Spain where news of the accident has prompted national mourning.

Investigation Continues as Questions Remain

As investigators piece together the final moments of flight, many questions remain unanswered. Why did the helicopter’s rotor separate from the aircraft? Was the fuel situation more critical than initially communicated? Could this tragedy have been prevented?

The answers to these questions will be crucial not only for understanding what happened to Flight 1174 but also for preventing similar tragedies in the future. For now, a grieving company, a mentor in mourning, and communities in both the United States and Spain await answers while remembering those whose lives were cut tragically short over the waters of the Hudson.