Eight People Rescued After Seaplane Hard Landing in Manhattan River

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:44:37 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Eight passengers were rescued from a crashed seaplane in the East River, while authorities investigate the hard landing that caused a wing strut to snap.

New York City’s FDNY rescued eight people after a seaplane performed a hard landing in the East River. The Kodiak 100 plane suffered a snapped wing strut and capsized partially, according to FAA officials. The accident prompted an investigation into the pilot’s maneuvering and the lack of air traffic control services. Two passengers suffered minor injuries. Earlier incidents involving a smaller seaplane highlight the river's risky waters.

At least eight people were rescued from a seaplane that made a hard landing in Manhattan’s East River, according to New York fire officials.

The incident took place around 16:00 GMT near the marina at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive, when the Kodiak 100 aircraft was found upright and towed back to the dock.

Eight people—four crew and four passengers—were removed by FDNY units; two passengers sustained minor injuries but declined medical treatment.

The FAA said the pilot performed a hard landing that snapped a wing strut, and reported that air‑traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time.

Officials added that the plane was coming from the Hamptons and had struck a wave while landing, which partly capsized the aircraft, illustrating the risks of seaplane operations in the river.

A similar incident last week involved a two‑seater plane struck by a wave during take‑off, prompting FDNY response and boat rescue of the pilot and passenger.