Seaplane Makes Hard Landing in NYC’s East River Prompting Swift Rescue

On Sunday afternoon, a seaplane made a hard landing in New York City’s East River, leading to the rescue of eight people. The aircraft came down near the city’s only seaplane terminal, prompting a fast emergency response from firefighters.

The New York City Fire Department reported receiving a call at 12:01 p.m. about a plane in the river near NY Skyport at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive. Fire crews found the seaplane upright in the water and successfully removed all eight people before towing the aircraft back to a dock.

Two individuals suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment at the scene. There were no other reported injuries.

FAA Investigation Underway

Identified as a Kodiak 100 seaplane, the Federal Aviation Administration stated the pilot executed a hard landing at noon which resulted in a broken wing strut. The plane had taken off from East Hampton Airport on Long Island en route to Manhattan’s Skyport terminal, as mentioned by The New York Times and CNN.

The FAA reported eight people were aboard, including the plane registered as N726SH, and it has initiated an investigation. The current details are preliminary and subject to updates.

Audio recordings captured the pilot’s mayday call and a New York City Police Department helicopter responding to the incident. Despite the dramatic situation, additional casualties were avoided.

Rescue Operations

Video footage from the scene showed responders around the seaplane while it floated in the river and the subsequent towing operation. The emergency response involved FDNY marine units and other local first responders gathering at the East River.

Details about the pilot and passengers remain undisclosed as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances behind the hard landing.

For further developments, inquiries regarding the onboard individuals have been directed to local authorities. Fox News Digital attempted to acquire extra information from the New York City Police Department.