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Johnson was piloting a Bell 206 helicopter on Thursday during a sightseeing tour for a family of five visiting from Spain.
Who was Sean Johnson? Pilot In Hudson River Chopper Crash Was Navy SEAL Veteran. (X/@CollinRugg)
The pilot who died in the Hudson River crash has been identified as Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson, according to the Gothamist. Johnson and a family of five tourists—Agustin Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their three young children—were all killed in Thursday’s chopper crash.
Horrific visuals showed the aircraft spinning in the air moments before it crashed into the Hudson River near the New Jersey coastline at Pier A Park in Hoboken.
The accident reportedly took place at 3:17 p.m. (US local time). Upon receiving the information, the officials reached the spot. While four of the victims were declared on the spot, two children were rushed to a local hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
Who was Sean Johnson?
Sean Johnson, a 36-year-old Navy SEAL veteran, recently relocated to New York City to pursue his aviation career, following stints in Illinois, Virginia, and Montana.
Johnson was piloting a Bell 206 helicopter on Thursday during a sightseeing tour for a family of five visiting from Spain.
Just days before the tragedy, Johnson posted a video of him flying to his Facebook account.
Johnson’s friend Remi Adeleke recalled Sean’s aspiration to become a pilot and admired his quiet determination, resilience, and selfless nature.
“I met Sean when he was a new tech in the SEAL Teams. I was an E-6 at the time, and Sean stood out immediately—vibrant, humble, respectful, and hungry to learn. Every time I stepped into his workspace, we’d chop it up about life, the Teams, and his future. He’d always tell me he wanted to be a pilot someday,” Adeleke said on IG.
“Sean came from very humble beginnings—but he never let that define or limit him. If anything, it fueled him. He had a quiet determination, a spirit of resilience, and a heart that always looked out for others. Even after we both left the Navy, we stayed close—regular calls, meetups, and texts. He’d keep me updated every step of the way through pilot school, sharing milestones and progress. He was so proud, and I was proud of him,” he added.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences over the incident during a news conference on Thursday. “Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board,” he said.
- Location :
New York, United States of America (USA)
