
The horrific Hudson River helicopter crash that killed a vacationing family of five last year was no freak accident — but a “predictable” result of the tour operator’s “wanton” negligence, grieving relatives claimed in a new lawsuit.
Six people died — including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal and their three young children ages 4, 8 and 10 — when their sightseeing helicopter broke apart and plunged into the river just 16 minutes after take-off on April 10, 2025.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Montal’s brother, Camprubi Montal, on behalf of his relatives’ estates, alleges the chopper’s owners, New York Helicopter Charter Inc. and its CEO Michael Roth, operated with “willful and wanton disregard” for human life.
The family members “all experienced severe pre-impact terror and fear from impending death, and all suffered severe physical pain, mental anguish and terror prior to perishing,” states the suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday.
Roth allegedly ignored maintenance he was responsible for, including a critical 2022 Federal Aviation Administration notice, called an Airworthiness Directive, the suit states.
The FAA notice required “repetitive inspection” of the main rotor blades of the leased Bell 206L-4 helicopter to identify signs of the blade’s components separating, also called delamination.

“Once delamination occurs, the main rotor blades are subject to premature failure,” the suit states, adding that it could have caused the “mechanical failure of the tailboom” that led to the tragic mid-air separation and crash.
The suit also alleges that the company lacked a “properly qualified” safety officer, and that Roth retaliated against his director of operations by firing him a mere 16 minutes after he complied with an FAA request for the company to cease all flights until the investigation was complete.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have not finalized their investigations on the cause of the crash yet, according to their websites.
Roth told The Post that his company “did nothing wrong — it was the fault of the main rotor blades.”
“The only thing that I can say is we are horrified of the unfortunate family dying in this tragic accident and of our pilot,” he said in a phone call Tuesday, referring to chopper pilot and Navy veteran Sean Johnson, 36, who was also killed.
He then went on to claim that “these blades should have never been approved for use” by the FAA.
“I don’t use those blades any more,” he added.
When asked about the FAA’s requirement for the blades to be repeatedly inspected, he said that he wasn’t responsible for maintenance because the helicopter was leased.
“I don’t think you’re listening,” he said when asked who was responsible for inspecting the blades, “I think you have your own narrative.”
News
“UNIMAGINED PAIN…”: Scarlett & Jason Faulkner’s family has just released a heartbreaking message about their son and daughter as the cruel truth is revealed…
In a tragedy that has left an entire community reeling in disbelief, the Faulkner family from Limerick, Ireland, has been…
Innocent Baby Slaughtered in Stroller – Suspect Claims ‘Someone Made Me Pull the Trigger’ and Demands New Trial as Police Close the Case!
In a heartbreaking case that has shocked Brooklyn and the nation, police have officially wrapped up their investigation into the…
He Carried Her Coffin… Then Police Found Him Dead in the River: Chilling Secret Jason Faulkner Uncovered at His Sister’s Funeral👀👇
In a heartbreaking twist that has shocked Ireland, Jason Faulkner made a disturbing observation while carrying his younger sister Scarlett’s…
Brother Carries Sister’s Coffin — 48 Hours Later, His Body Is Dragged From the River: Secret Recording Reveals Chilling Truth
In the quiet streets of Limerick, Ireland, a family already shattered by unimaginable loss has been plunged into even deeper…
‘I’m Not Okay’ — Heartbreaking Last Message From Brother Who Just Buried His Sister. Tragedy Struck Again 48 Hours Later
In the quiet streets of Limerick, Ireland, the Faulkner family was already shattered by unimaginable grief. Scarlett Faulkner, a 29-year-old…
UNBELIEVABLE: Neighbors of the murderer Shamar Elkins said they had heard arguments happening late at night on several occasions, but everything only lasted a few minutes before disappearing
In the quiet neighborhoods of Shreveport, Louisiana, residents thought the occasional late-night arguments drifting from one home were just another…
End of content
No more pages to load


