The helicopter company that crashed on the Hudson River will cease operations "immediately."

BarcelonaUpdates on the case of the helicopter that crashed Thursday into New York's Hudson River with five Catalans on board. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that New York Helicopter, the company in charge of the tourist flight, will cease operations "immediately." The agency's statement also indicates that it will begin "an immediate review of the tour operator's license and safety record." The announcement of the license suspension comes just hours after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for the certificate to be revoked.

Furthermore, the accident investigation has explained that the aircraft did not have incident recording instruments, video recorders, onboard cameras, or any aircraft system capable of recording information for the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. These absences hamper the work to uncover the cause behind the tragic accident.

So far, according to the latest search update, the NTSB has been able to confirm the recovery of several parts of the aircraft, such as the main vessel, including the cockpit and passenger cabin, the front part of the tail boom, and the stabilizer fins. In addition, they have begun evaluating the helicopter's flight control system.

However, there are still parts to be recovered. New York Police Department divers continue their search for the helicopter's main rotor, main gearbox, tail rotor, and much of the tail boom. They are using side-scan sonar to identify possible locations for the wreckage.

Inspected a month ago

So far, NTSB officials have met with representatives of the helicopter's operator, New York Helicopter Charter Inc., to review operating records, policies and procedures, safety management systems, and pilot experience. Investigators also examined two test helicopters.

Regarding the helicopter's last major inspection, the NTSB has determined that it was on March 1. The investigation also indicates that the flight carrying former Siemens CEO in Spain Agustín Escobar, his wife Mercè Camprubí, and their three children was the helicopter's eighth that day.

Message from the family

While the investigation continues, the victims' families have arrived in the United States. This Saturday, in fact, Mercè Camprubí's brother appeared before the media accompanied by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. From across the Hudson River, Camprubí explained that the family is "trying to assimilate" the situation. He expressed his gratitude for the "massive" outpouring of support received from both Spanish, Catalan, and American society and institutions, as well as from Siemens, where Agustín Escobar was a senior executive.

"They left together, without suffering and with a smile on their faces," said Camprubí, who concluded his speech in Catalan: "You will always be with us and in our hearts. We will never forget you and we will keep your smile alive every day of our lives." New York City Mayor Eric Adams also sent his condolences to the families. Before the press conference, Adams accompanied Camprubí to the exact scene of the accident to lay flowers.

The families of the victims traveled to New York to complete the necessary procedures to repatriate the bodies "as soon as possible."