Eight people were rescued from a seaplane that made a hard landing in New York City’s East River on Sunday, tilting into the water and snapping a wing strut.
The Kodiak 100 seaplane had departed East Hampton and was bound for the Skyport seaplane base at East 23rd Street when it went down shortly after noon, according to a New York Police Department spokesperson. The aircraft “tilted into the water” after the hard landing, the spokesperson said.
“Eight people were rescued after a seaplane made a hard landing in New York's East River, snapping a wing strut.”
Crews rescued eight adults from the plane, including the pilot. The New York Fire Department said two civilians had minor injuries, while the NYPD said one person was injured. The plane remained upright in the water and was towed back to dock by emergency crews.
Witness Marcus Hurlburt told The New York Times he saw at least three people climb on top of one of the plane’s floats. He praised the pilot, comparing him to Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who famously landed a US Airways jet on the Hudson River in 2009. “The pilot did a great job on making sure it didn’t turn over,” Hurlburt said. “He pulled a Sully on that one. I was so impressed the pilot didn’t let it sink.”
Another witness, Brian, who filmed the aftermath from his apartment, told Metro: “I didn’t see the impact, only all the emergency boats rushing over after. I’m so glad everyone is safe. It is amazing news.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which caused a wing strut to snap. A New York Police Department helicopter had alerted authorities after spotting the plane in the water. “Mayday, mayday, mayday. Plane down in the water,” the helicopter pilot said, according to air traffic control audio reviewed by CNN. “It looks like the pilot is OK,” the pilot added.
The crash comes just weeks after a seaplane pilot and his passenger were rescued from the East River when a wave hit the aircraft during takeoff on June 13, according to the New York Post. No one was seriously injured in that incident.
An investigation into Sunday’s hard landing remains ongoing.