Seaplane Mayday Call Ends With Emergency Water Landing in Manhattan

Clear Facts

• A Kodiak 100 seaplane made a hard landing in New York City’s East River on Sunday afternoon after the pilot declared mayday, with all eight people aboard rescued safely
• The aircraft was traveling from East Hampton Airport on Long Island to Manhattan’s Skyport seaplane terminal when a wing strut snapped during the landing
• Two civilians suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention; no serious injuries were reported in the incident

Eight people walked away from a harrowing seaplane emergency on Sunday after the aircraft made a hard landing in New York City’s East River, prompting a swift response from emergency crews near Manhattan’s only seaplane terminal.

The New York City Fire Department received the distress call at 12:01 p.m., reporting a plane in the water near the NY Skyport at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive. Fire crews arrived to find the seaplane upright in the water, a testament to the pilot’s skill under emergency conditions.

FDNY units quickly removed all eight people aboard before the aircraft was towed back to a nearby dock. Two civilians suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene, according to the department.

The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane, registered as N726SH. The pilot made a hard landing in the East River at approximately noon local time, causing a wing strut to snap during the emergency water touchdown.

The aircraft had departed East Hampton Airport on Long Island and was headed to the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan when the emergency occurred. The NY Skyport on Manhattan’s East Side serves scheduled and charter flights to destinations throughout the Northeast.

Air traffic control recordings captured the critical moments surrounding the incident, including the pilot’s mayday declaration before the aircraft came down in the river. Separate radio traffic captured a New York City Police Department helicopter responding to reports of a “plane down in the water.”

Video from the scene showed first responders surrounding the aircraft as it floated upright in the East River while rescue crews worked methodically to remove those aboard. The seaplane remained stable in the water throughout the rescue operation.

Additional footage showed the seaplane being towed back toward the dock after the rescue operation concluded. The incident prompted a large emergency response to the East River waterfront as FDNY marine units and other first responders converged on the area.

Authorities have not identified the pilot or passengers, and it was not immediately clear what led to the hard landing. The FAA said it is investigating the incident and noted the information released Sunday is preliminary and subject to change.

The successful rescue highlights the professionalism of New York City’s emergency responders and the importance of proper emergency protocols in aviation. The quick response time and coordinated effort between multiple agencies likely prevented what could have been a far more serious incident.

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