Seaplane Makes Hard Landing in East River, All Eight Occupants Rescued

All eight occupants were rescued, while two people suffered minor injuries

A seaplane carrying eight people made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday, triggering a large-scale rescue operation that ended with everyone on board being brought to safety. According to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), emergency crews responded shortly after 12 pm (local time) after receiving reports of a seaplane in the water north of the Williamsburg Bridge. All eight occupants were rescued, while two people suffered minor injuries and were evaluated by emergency medical personnel, as reported by the New York Post.

Plane partially capsizes after hard landing

Video from the scene showed the aircraft floating in the river with one wing submerged as rescue crews surrounded it. The plane partially capsized after making a hard landing in choppy waters near the Manhattan ferry and Skyport terminal at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive. After passengers were rescued, the aircraft was righted in the water and towed back to the dock. According to the FAA, the hard landing caused the aircraft's wing strut to snap.

Pilot issues Mayday call

Audio released by ATC. com captured the emergency unfolding. According to ABC News, the pilot issued a Mayday distress call before landing on the river. Another pilot radioed, "Mayday, mayday, mayday. Plane down in the water." An NYPD helicopter responding to the incident later informed air traffic controllers: "It looks like the pilot is OK."

Bystanders rush to help

The New York Post reported that recreational boater Dan Thys and his wife were among the first to reach the aircraft before police rescue boats arrived. "We were the closest vessel next to the plane, we went right over," Thys said. He recalled seeing the aircraft abort one landing attempt before trying again in the opposite direction. "The first thing that rang through our mind is how can we help?" he said, adding that the pilot accepted life jackets before NYPD officers took over the rescue. Thys described the river conditions as "fairly rough" and the ride through the harbour as "very, very bouncy." Flight records show the Kodiak 100 seaplane had departed East Hampton Airport at 11:24 am (local time). The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident. The accident comes less than a month after another seaplane required rescue in the East River after being struck by a wave during takeoff near the Throgs Neck Bridge.