news 5 July 2026 Nile Post
Eight Rescued After Seaplane's Hard Landing in Manhattan's East River
Eight individuals were safely rescued from a seaplane following a hard landing in New York City's East River. The aircraft, a Kodiak 100, was towed back to the dock after the incident. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/353819/eight-rescued-from-seaplane-that-made-hard-landing-in-manhattan-river
Emergency services in Manhattan responded midday Sunday to reports of a seaplane making an emergency landing in the East River. The incident occurred off the East 23rd Street marina and FDR Drive.
Fire department units were able to remove all eight people from the Kodiak 100 seaplane. Two individuals sustained minor injuries but declined further medical attention. The aircraft remained upright after the landing and was subsequently towed back to a nearby dock.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the event, with initial reports indicating the pilot performed a “hard landing.” This resulted in a structural failure, causing a wing strut to snap. A hard landing is defined as a touchdown exceeding the manufacturer’s specified vertical speed or force limits.
According to the FAA’s social media, air traffic control was not providing services to the seaplane at the time of the landing. Reports suggest the seaplane was en route from the Hamptons to a local seaplane base when it encountered difficulties upon touching down.
This incident is not the first seaplane mishap in the East River recently. Approximately three weeks prior, another seaplane was damaged during an attempted takeoff. That smaller, two-seater aircraft encountered a large wave, leading to it going down near Queens. In that earlier event, the fire department also assisted in rescuing the pilot and a passenger from the water.