Relatives of family killed in Hudson River helicopter crash sue tour operator for negligence

Relatives of the family killed in the helicopter crash in the Hudson River last year are suing the company that operated the sightseeing tour, as well as the company’s owner.

The civil lawsuit, filed in Manhattan state court on Monday, alleges the business — New York Helicopter Charter Inc. — and owner Michael Roth were negligent in their management of the April 10, 2025 flight. The suit argues this resulted in the wrongful deaths of the five members of a family visiting New York City from Barcelona, Spain. The family is looking for a jury trial and compensatory and punitive damages.

The complaint alleges the Bell 206L-4 helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 3 p.m. on the day of the crash, then “suddenly” broke up mid-air near the Holland Tunnel ventilation towers.

“The passengers all ultimately suffered severe personal injuries and lost their lives after they experienced unspeakable fear and terror of impending death,” the lawsuit states.

Federal Aviation Administration officials called the business’ then-director of operations three days later, requesting it cease operating until investigations into the incident were completed, according to the filing. But within about an hour, Roth “advised” federal officials he would not cease operations and the director was no longer an employee, the complaint states.

Soon after, the FAA ordered the business to shut down, citing the director’s termination.

The plaintiffs allege the operator failed to perform required maintenance on the helicopter and ignored policies and procedures for protecting passengers. They also say it failed to ensure the pilot was “appropriately trained and competent to handle any inflight emergency,” and failed to inspect the main rotor blades for delamination, or separation in layers of blade materials.

Two law firms, Gersowitz, Libo and Korek PC and Kreindler, filed the complaint on behalf of the family.

“This beautiful family came to New York for what should have been a joyful sightseeing experience and instead suffered an unimaginable tragedy," Jeff Korek, senior trial partner at Gersowitz, Libo and Korek PC, said in a statement. "While no money can ever make up for this devastating loss, we intend to hold all parties accountable, including Michael Roth, and eagerly await the [National Transportation Safety Board] report."

Roth denied in an interview Tuesday that he and his business did anything wrong.

“We are grieving for this family, and we would never ever do anything improper,” he said.

Roth said he believes defective blades on the helicopter, which his business rented from an unrelated company, contributed to the crash. He acknowledged he has not commissioned an independent review of the incident, saying he cannot afford one.

“This crash has devastated me financially,” said Roth, 72.

Those who died in the crash include Agustin Escobar Cañadas, 49, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their children, Merce Escobar Camprubi, 8, Agustin Escobar Camprubi, 10, and Víctor Escobar Camprubi, 4. The elder Agustin was global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, and the younger Merce died a day before her ninth birthday, the lawsuit notes.

The pilot, 36-year-old Navy veteran Sean Johnson, also died. His loved ones told Gothamist after the crash that he had recently moved to the city to continue his aviation career.

The crash reignited a debate over tourist choppers in the city, which critics have long faulted for noise and safety risks.

Earlier this month, around the incident’s anniversary, a bipartisan group of congressmembers introduced legislation aimed at tightening safety standards for helicopters. Proponents of the industry have argued the flights make the city an attractive place to visit and boost its economy and tax revenue. At least 32 people have died in helicopter emergencies in the city since the late 1970s, according to the Associated Press.

Relatives of the family have said they hope to keep their memories alive by advocating for more safety measures for sightseeing helicopters.

"Aviation safety is not a choice, it is a responsibility," Joan Camprubi Montal, one of the plaintiffs and the brother of Merce Camprubi Montal. "No other family should have to endure the loss our family has experienced."

The National Transportation Safety Board's investigation into the crash is ongoing.

This story has been updated with additional information.