Investigators are examining reports that a large flock of birds was seen before a deadly helicopter crash in New York City, claiming the lives of the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists, including three children. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, and his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, had booked the helicopter tour to celebrate their eight-year-old child’s upcoming birthday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has not determined the cause of the crash yet and is looking into the bird flock reports, urging the public to share any unusual observations with their investigators. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences, calling the incident “devastating.” Witnesses described parts of the helicopter, identified as a Bell 206, flying off before it crashed into the Hudson river. The wreckage was later lifted from the water by a crane. The helicopter was on a sightseeing tour operated by the New York Helicopter company, which has pledged full cooperation with the investigation. The crash near Pier 40 and the Holland Tunnel has raised questions about helicopter safety, with a previous incident in Washington DC just three months earlier involving the collision of a helicopter and a commercial airliner, resulting in the deaths of 67 people.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/investigators-looking-into-reports-flock-of-birds-spotted-near-new-york-helicopter-crash-site-13346768