Pilot who died in Hudson River crash rode same helicopter model only weeks ago

The pilot of a helicopter which crashed into New York City’s Hudson River has been identified as a Navy SEAL veteran with a deep love of flying.

Seankese ‘Sean’ Johnson, 36, moved to the city to continue his aviation career last month.

Only two weeks ago, he uploaded video footage of himself proudly piloting a Bell 206 helicopter – the very model that crashed yesterday.

‘When it all comes together,’ the Chicago native wrote, as he soared across lower Manhattan.

He had only days before changed his Facebook Cover photo to a shot he took of New York from above.

‘I’m just at a loss for words. I don’t even know what happened,’ Johnson’s widow, Kathryn Johnson, told the Gothamist.