• The helicopter crash in the Hudson River resulted in the deaths of all six aboard.
• The Bell 206 L-4 helicopter lacked flight recorders and had already completed seven flights that day.
• Key components, including main rotor systems, have been recovered to aid the investigation.
• The helicopter's operator, New York Helicopter Tours, has shut down operations pending investigations.
• Preliminary findings suggest potential mechanical issues, with the aircraft having reported problems previously.

The helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River last week, killing all six occupants, had completed a total of seven flights on that day and was equipped without essential flight recording devices. The tragic incident, which claimed the lives of a Spanish family and the pilot, has raised serious safety concerns regarding the operations of New York Helicopter Tours, according to reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and various news sources.

In the days following the accident, crucial parts of the helicopter, including the main rotor system, were recovered by teams coordinated by the NTSB. The recovery process, aided by divers from the New York Police Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, significantly contributes to the ongoing investigation that aims to determine the cause of the crash, according to ABC News.

Eyewitness videos showed the helicopter breaking apart midair before descending into the water near Jersey City. The NTSB's findings indicate a painful scenario for the victims and their families, as the aircraft was discovered missing several essential components post-crash, including the rotor and blades. Investigators are now analyzing all recovered debris, as the body of the helicopter was found floating upside down in the river, according to New York Times.

Issues have also emerged regarding the regulatory compliance of the helicopter’s operator, New York Helicopter Tours, which has since suspended its operations indefinitely after the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced they would initiate an immediate review of the company's safety practices, particularly following revelations about prior mechanical issues with the aircraft, noted India Times.