Pilot Killed in Hudson River Helicopter Crash Was Navy SEAL Veteran Who Once Shared Joy of Flying

The pilot of the sightseeing helicopter that tragically crashed into New York’s Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six onboard, was identified as 36-year-old Sean Johnson — a decorated Navy SEAL veteran who had recently shared his passion for flying on social media.

Just weeks before the fatal accident, Johnson posted a video to Facebook showing himself confidently flying a Bell 206 helicopter over Lower Manhattan with the caption, “When it all comes together…” The post, now seen as chilling in hindsight, drew support from friends who praised him for pursuing his dreams. “Living the dream,” one commenter wrote.

Johnson had only recently relocated to New York City to advance his aviation career, after living in various states including Illinois, Virginia, and Montana. On the day of the crash, he was piloting a Bell 206 during a sightseeing flight for a Spanish family visiting from Barcelona. All five passengers perished alongside Johnson when the helicopter plunged into the Hudson.

His death has added a personal dimension to the growing calls for tighter regulation of non-essential helicopter flights in New York, as investigators continue to search for answers.