Eight Rescued After Seaplane Hard Landing in Manhattan’s East River

Mon Sep 14 2026 16:31:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A seaplane crashed into New York City’s East River, leaving eight passengers aboard saved by FDNY firefighters amid a wave‑stun landing.

At around 4 p.m. local time, a Kodiak 100 seaplane made a hard landing in the East River near East 23rd Street, sparking a swift response from New York City firefighters. The aircraft was upright and retrieved from the water with minimal damage to the plane, but a wing strut snapped during the impact. Eight passengers were rescued, two of whom sustained minor injuries and declined medical care. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the pilot’s hard landing and noted that air traffic control was not providing services at the time. The incident follows a recent wave‑related incident three weeks earlier involving a small seaplane.

Eight Rescued After Seaplane Hard Landing in Manhattan’s East River

A seaplane crashed into New York City’s East River near East 23rd Street, prompting an FDNY response that rescued all eight aboard in roughly an hour.

The aircraft—a Kodiak 100 seaplane—was upright when firefighters pulled it from the water. A hard landing, defined by excessive vertical speed, snapped a wing strut, yet the plane remained largely intact.

Firefighters removed eight occupants; two sustained minor injuries and declined medical attention. The FAA will investigate the incident, noting that air traffic control was not providing services at the time of impact.

The event follows a similar wave‑related incident in June, where a small two‑seat seaplane was struck during a take‑off attempt, prompting a FDNY rescue that included a pilot and passenger on a nearby boat.