In the aftermath of the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six individuals, including an entire family of five and the pilot, aviation specialist Julian Bray has proposed a potential cause for the tragedy.
Bray suggests that the accident, which involved the helicopter disintegrating midair and crashing into the Hudson River upside down, may have been due to the failure of a critical component known as the “Jesus nut.” This essential bolt secures the helicopter’s main rotor system. Should it fail during flight, there is nothing left to hold the rotor in place, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The term “Jesus nut” reflects the belief that once it fails, only divine intervention could prevent disaster.
In an interview with The Sun, Bray explained, “What appears to have happened with this particular helicopter is that the main rotor detached, as evidenced by video footage showing the blades spinning away from the aircraft.” He further stated that the rotor’s detachment likely caused it to slice through the rear section of the helicopter, resulting in the fuselage plunging rapidly into the Hudson River near Pier 41.
Bray elaborated on the importance of the “Jesus nut,” emphasizing that it must be meticulously inspected during every service check. He noted, “Without it, the entire helicopter structure would collapse.” According to Bray, the evidence points toward either a defect in the part itself or improper securing of the component.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. However, video footage from the incident supports Bray’s hypothesis, clearly showing the rotor separating from the fuselage while still spinning, which suggests that engine failure is unlikely to have been the cause.
The victims of the accident were identified as Agustín Escobar, the president of Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children, aged 4, 5, and 11. They had reportedly arrived in New York the day before the tragedy and had chartered a sightseeing flight aboard a single-engine Bell 206 helicopter operated by New York Helicopter to celebrate one of their children’s birthdays. Prior to the crash, the family had been photographed posing near and inside the aircraft, which had been airborne for approximately 18 minutes before the fatal incident.
Source: The Sun
