Bell 206L: All about the helicopter that crashed into Hudson River near Pier 40 in NYC

A Bell 206L helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 in NYC on Thursday. The helicopter can carry up to six people.

Updated on: Apr 11, 2025, 06:37:07 IST

By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan

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The helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 in New York City has been identified as N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV, according to radar data from FlightRadar24. Radar footage shows the helicopter suddenly descending into the water just north of the Holland Tunnel.

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Pier 40 in New York City. (UnSplash)

The Bell 206

The Bell 206 is a series of two-bladed helicopters, available in both single- and twin-engine configurations, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec facility.

According to McDermott Aviation, the Bell 206L can carry up to six people. It is also equipped for a variety of firefighting and management tasks, including water bombing (with a 550L bucket), air attack (fire surveillance), and incendiary operations (planned burning).

Also Read: NYC helicopter crash: Who was in Bell 206 chopper that fell into Hudson River - first details

What we know so far about the Hudson River helicopter crash -

A helicopter crashed in the area of the West Side Highway and Spring Street around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, resulting in traffic delays. According to NBC News, six people were pulled from the Hudson River, with five confirmed dead. The identities of the victims have not been revealed.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

“A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The @NTSB will lead the investigation and provide any updates,” FAA said in a statement.

Avi Rakesh, a witness, told NBC News that said he saw one of the helicopter's blades fly off.

“I don't know what happened to the tail, but it just straight up dropped,” he said. It dropped feet away from Holland Tunnel, and I can't imagine if it hit it."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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