Outlook Business Desk
Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, and his family were killed in a helicopter crash on April 10 in New York. A video of the crash above the Manhattan skyline has since gone viral on social media. The crash of the sightseeing helicopter claimed the lives of six people, including the Escobar family.
Agustin Escobar was a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in the energy and transportation industries. Since December 2022, he had held the roles of President and CEO of Siemens Spain, as well as CEO of Siemens Mobility for Southwest Europe.
According to reports, the helicopter experienced a catastrophic mid-air failure, during which it lost both its main rotor and tail rotor. Witnesses described seeing the aircraft break apart while in air, with parts of the rotor system detaching before the helicopter flipped and plunged upside down into the Hudson River.
The helicopter, carrying six people—including three children and the Siemens executive—took off from a Manhattan heliport, followed a typical sightseeing route, and crashed into the water about 16 minutes later, according to CNN.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash in the Hudson River. Initial findings suggest a potential mechanical failure as the cause, but the investigation is still ongoing.
The helicopter involved was a Bell 206, a lightweight utility aircraft. It was commonly used for private and charter flights in the US.
According to CNN, the company operating the crashed helicopter had a history of safety incidents. In 2015, a pilot was forced to land in New Jersey due to potential structural issues, including corrosion and deformed parts. In 2013, another pilot made an emergency water landing near Manhattan after engine failure.