A seaplane carrying eight people made a hard landing in New York City’s East River on Sunday, July 5, prompting a rapid emergency response near Manhattan’s East Side and leaving only two people with minor injuries, according to city authorities cited by AP News.
The aircraft remained upright after the incident and was later towed back to dock, while images from the scene showed the white seaplane leaning to one side with part of its wingtip in the water. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a single-engine Kodiak 100, and the cause of the hard landing remains under review.
Passenger accounts later described a tense few minutes inside the aircraft before rescuers arrived. PEOPLE reported that 16-year-old passenger Khloe Todd said she feared the plane might sink after seeing water outside the window, but emergency crews were able to bring everyone aboard to safety.
For New York’s busy seaplane corridor, the incident is another reminder of how quickly a routine water landing can turn into an emergency response. With all occupants rescued and no major injuries reported, attention now turns to the investigation and whether weather, water conditions, aircraft handling or mechanical issues played a role.
