A seaplane made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response from firefighters and marine units after the aircraft came down near the city's only seaplane terminal. The New York City Fire Department received a call at 12:01 p.m. reporting a plane in the water near the NY Skyport at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan. Fire crews arrived to find the seaplane upright in the water and quickly removed all eight people aboard before the aircraft was towed back to a nearby dock.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane and said the pilot made a hard landing in the East River at about noon local time, causing a wing strut to snap. The aircraft had departed East Hampton Airport on Long Island and was headed to the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan. The FAA confirmed that eight people were aboard the aircraft, which is registered as N726SH, and noted that the information released Sunday is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation continues.
Two civilians suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene, according to the FDNY. No additional injuries were immediately reported. Air traffic control recordings captured the moments surrounding the incident, including the pilot declaring a mayday before the aircraft came down in the river. Separate radio traffic captured a New York City Police Department helicopter responding to reports of a «plane down in the water.» Authorities have not identified the pilot or passengers, and it was not immediately clear what led to the hard landing.
The NY Skyport on Manhattan's East Side is New York City's only seaplane terminal, serving scheduled and charter flights to destinations throughout the Northeast, including popular summer destinations like the Hamptons and other coastal areas. The terminal has been in operation for decades and is a key transportation hub for those traveling between Manhattan and regional airports. The incident prompted a large emergency response to the East River waterfront as FDNY marine units and other first responders converged on the area, with video from the scene showing first responders surrounding the aircraft as it floated upright in the river while rescue crews worked to remove those aboard.
Additional video showed the seaplane being towed back toward the dock after the rescue operation concluded. The FAA directed questions regarding the people on board to local authorities, and Fox News Digital has reached out to the New York City Police Department for additional information. The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety following several recent close calls at airports in the New York area and across the country, though officials have not suggested any connection between this incident and others.
The Kodiak 100 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft designed for short takeoff and landing operations, often used for utility and passenger transport in remote areas. It is manufactured by Quest Aircraft Company and is known for its ruggedness and reliability. The FAA said it is investigating the incident and will work to determine the cause of the hard landing, which could include factors such as mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental conditions. The National Transportation Safety Board may also be involved in the investigation, though the FAA has not yet confirmed this.
Seaplane operations in the East River are relatively common, with the NY Skyport handling both scheduled and charter flights. The terminal has been a fixture of Manhattan's waterfront for years, providing a unique transportation option for travelers. The incident Sunday did not disrupt other operations at the terminal, which remained open for business. The swift response by emergency services ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated without serious injury, highlighting the effectiveness of the city's emergency preparedness protocols.