A Kodiak 100 seaplane made a hard landing in New York City’s East River on Sunday, prompting a swift rescue operation that evacuated all eight people aboard the aircraft with only minor injuries reported. The incident unfolded just after 12 p.m. in the river near East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive in Manhattan, drawing emergency responders to the scene on what began as a routine flight from the Hamptons.
The seaplane had departed from East Hampton Airport at 11:24 a.m., heading toward the Skyport, New York City’s seaplane terminal, when the pilot encountered difficulties. Air traffic control recordings captured the pilot issuing a Mayday distress call before making the hard water landing. The plane landed upright in the water but with visible damage, its left wing tilted into the water as the aircraft bobbed in the river.
Emergency responders mobilized immediately upon receiving the call at 12:01 p.m. The FDNY’s Marine Division, along with the NYPD Harbor Unit, rushed to the scene in rescue boats. An NYPD helicopter responding to the incident radioed in emergency traffic, reporting “Mayday, mayday, mayday” and “Plane down in the water.” As rescue crews approached, the helicopter pilot reported that the pilot appeared to be okay.
All eight occupants, including six passengers, the pilot, and a crew member, were successfully removed from the aircraft by FDNY units. Two people sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene, according to FDNY officials. The swift response by first responders prevented what could have been a much more serious incident in one of Manhattan’s busiest waterways.
The hard landing caused significant damage to the aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the impact resulted in a wing strut snapping. The damaged seaplane was subsequently towed back to the dock for assessment and investigation. The FAA confirmed that air traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time of the incident.
The Kodiak 100, a single-engine floatplane, was built last year according to FAA ownership records. The plane’s registered owner has not been made publicly available. The incident marks the second significant seaplane mishap in the East River within recent weeks, raising questions about safety protocols for small aircraft operations in the congested waterway.
Federal aviation authorities announced they would investigate the circumstances surrounding the hard landing. The investigation will likely examine factors contributing to the landing, the condition of the aircraft, and whether any mechanical or pilot-related issues played a role in the incident.
The quick rescue effort and the fact that all passengers survived with minor injuries stood in sharp contrast to the potential for tragedy when aircraft encounter problems over crowded urban waterways. The response by FDNY and NYPD units underscored the importance of emergency preparedness for incidents involving aircraft in the Manhattan area.