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NTSB records point to possible bird strike before deadly Hudson River helicopter crash
By
Phil Corso
Published Jul 16, 2026
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NTSB
By
Phil Corso
Published Jul 16, 2026
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Newly released federal investigative records suggest a bird strike may have played a role in last year's Hudson River sightseeing helicopter crash that killed a family of five visiting from Spain and the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday released hundreds of pages of factual reports from its ongoing investigation into the April 10, 2025 crash. The reports do not determine the cause of the accident, which remains under investigation, officials said.
Among the newly released records are findings from the Smithsonian Institution's Feather Identification Lab, which identified bird remains collected from the helicopter wreckage, including evidence consistent with a mixed flock of Brant and Canada geese on the main rotor blades and left horizontal stabilizer. Investigators also documented a severed bird wing recovered near other helicopter debris.
The operations report said bird remains were found during examinations of the fuselage and rotor blades after the crash. Witnesses also reported seeing large flocks of birds in the area shortly before the helicopter broke apart over the Hudson River.
At the same time, a separate NTSB video analysis said that available footage showed "no discernible evidence" of a bird strike before the helicopter's in-flight breakup, noting that the videos were limited by distance, lighting, and image quality.
The Bell 206L-4 sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair before crashing into the river near Jersey City, killing six people. The NTSB has not released its final report or probable cause determination.
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public safety
Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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