The tragic helicopter crash on April 10, 2025, claimed six lives — a Spanish family of five and pilot Seankese “Sean” Johnson. His wife, Kathryn, shared her heartbreak, saying, *“I’m just at a loss for words… It’s just hard right now.”* Sean, 36, a Navy veteran and recent hire at New York Helicopter Charter, had posted a video weeks earlier flying the same route. He “always wanted to fly,” Kathryn said.

Witnesses described chaos as the helicopter spiraled, broke apart, and plunged into the Hudson River. *“It sounded like several gunshots,”* one recalled. Others saw smoke, detached rotor blades, and debris crashing near the shoreline. One bystander said, *“It was just slowly falling apart… the tail went… then it slammed into the ground.”*

Sean was remembered by former SEAL teammate Remi Adeleke as *“vibrant, humble, and hungry to learn.”* Adeleke said mentoring Sean felt like raising a son. *“He was so proud, and I was proud of him,”* he added. Sean had found purpose in flying and stayed selfless to the end.

A GoFundMe page honors Sean’s legacy. His life, though cut short, inspired many. As Adeleke wrote in tribute, *“Rest easy, little brother. I’ll see you again.”*