Authorities confirmed the pilot killed in the April 10 Hudson River helicopter crash was 36-year-old Navy veteran Sean Johnson. Known for his lifelong passion for flying, Sean had recently joined New York Helicopter Charter and recorded a video of the same flight path weeks before the tragedy. His wife, Kathryn, said, “He always wanted to fly.”

Sean’s death, along with five members of a Spanish family, has shaken loved ones and the aviation community. Kathryn, devastated, shared, “I’m just at a loss for words… it’s just hard right now.” Remi Adeleke, a former Navy SEAL and mentor, honored Sean as “vibrant, humble, respectful, and hungry to learn.” He added, “Rest easy, little brother. I’ll see you again.”

Witnesses described the crash as terrifying. One said the helicopter “spun with smoke pouring out,” while another recalled seeing “the rotor still in the air” as the aircraft hit the water.

The cause remains under investigation. A GoFundMe was launched to support Sean’s family and preserve his memory as a beloved son, veteran, and pilot.