An investigation is underway into the cause of a tragic helicopter crash that occurred on Thursday, April 10. The accident resulted in the deaths of six people, including the pilot, as well as a family of Spanish tourists who had been visiting the city. The cause of the accident is currently unknown, although there were reports of potential mechanical issues leading up to the crash.

What is Known About the Crash

The accident involved a Bell 206 helicopter which was registered to New York Helicopter Charter, Inc., a company that provides private helicopter tours. The helicopter took off from the Wall Street helipad at around 2:59 PM, and began a journey around the south side of Manhattan, circling the Statue of Liberty before flying up the western side of Manhattan. As it approached the George Washington Bridge, however, it seemingly began to experience a mid-air breakup, and crashed into the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey.

The Victims of the Accident

The helicopter had six people on board at the time of the accident, including the pilot of the aircraft. The other passengers were a family of Spanish tourists who were in the city for the father’s business trip, and had chartered the helicopter as a part of the mother’s birthday celebration. The other three passengers were the couple’s three children, aged 4, 8 and 10. None of the passengers on board survived the helicopter crash.

Possible Causes of the Crash

While the exact cause of the helicopter crash remains unknown, there were reports of loud noises prior to the crash similar to gunshots, and eyewitness reports say that the blades appear to have separated from the helicopter in mid-air. This may tend to indicate some kind of maintenance issue that caused the helicopter to break apart while in use. There may also have been some problem related to overcrowding in the skies over New York City, which could have contributed to the chances of an accident.

What Happens Now

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be investigating the crash to determine its exact cause. The victims of the helicopter crash will also be autopsied and returned to their country of origin so they can be buried by their loved ones. In the meantime, the CEO of the company that owned the helicopter has expressed his shock, and offered his condolences to all the victims of the accident.