A sightseeing helicopter that crashed in New York City’s Hudson River in April, killing all six people on board, "suddenly" broke apart before plummeting into the water, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report.

The tour helicopter that fatally crashed into the Hudson River on April 10 broke apart midair prior to plummeting into the water, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The doomed tourist helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River last month, killing six people, emitted “loud bangs” before breaking into three pieces, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report Wednesday.