Sean Johnson, 36, the pilot of a helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River Thursday near Hoboken, N.J., killing him and five passengers on abroad, served as a Navy Seal and had flown extensively. 

Johnson enlisted in the Navy in 2006 and served until November 2018, rising to the rank of gunner’s mate 2nd class. 

He underwent recruit training at Naval Station Great Lakes, and during his time in the Navy, he served at facilities in San Diego, and Pensacola, Florida. 

He also served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, from April 2007 through October 2011.

Last year, he worked through Montana’s fire season as a co-pilot for Billings Flying Service, which specializes in aerial firefighting and heavy equipment transportation.

But one political commentator did his ass-kissing Donald Trump’s routine and questioned whether Johnson was qualified to fly. 

The pilot, the National Transportation Safety Board said on Friday, had about 788 hours of total flight experience 

The 21-year-old Bell 206 helicopter, registered N216MH and operated by New York Helicopter, plummeted into the river off the New Jersey shoreline at around 3:15 p.m./EDT.

The helicopter crashed upside down after what appears to have been a midair breakup. 

The aircraft was owned by Louisiana-based Meridian Helicopters, LLC, whose website says it sells, refurbishes, and leases helicopters. 

Johnson was born and raised in Matteson, Illinois, and went to school in the south suburbs of Chicago. 

Friends described Johnson as someone who truly enjoyed life and people. His lifelong passion was flying.

An online commenter said he didn’t know if Johnson was qualified to fly.

Johnson was flying Agustin Escobar, his wife, Mercè Camprubí Montal, and their children, Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4 — were all killed when the helicopter they were in broke apart midair and plunged into the murky waters. 

Escobar was an executive with Siemens.