A dramatic rescue unfolded in New York City on Sunday when firefighters swiftly responded to a seaplane crash landing in the East River. All eight passengers were successfully saved after the plane went down close to the city’s sole seaplane terminal, officials reported.
At precisely 12:01 p.m., the New York City Fire Department received an urgent call about a seaplane incident in the water near the NY Skyport located at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan, News Media was informed.
Upon their arrival, fire crews found the aircraft upright on the river’s surface. FDNY personnel swiftly evacuated all eight individuals onboard, and the plane was subsequently towed to a nearby dock, according to department statements.
The FDNY reported that two passengers sustained minor injuries but opted out of receiving medical treatment on-site. No further injuries have been announced.
On July 5, 2026, emergency teams responded to a seaplane making a rough landing in the East River near NY Skyport. Fortunately, all eight occupants were rescued without serious harm. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane and told News Media the pilot made a hard landing in the East River at about noon local time, causing a wing strut to snap.
The aircraft departed East Hampton Airport on Long Island and was headed to the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan, according to The New York Times and CNN.
A seaplane remains in the East River following a hard landing near Manhattan on July 5, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
The NY Skyport on Manhattan’s East Side is New York City’s only seaplane terminal, serving scheduled and charter flights to destinations throughout the Northeast.
The FAA said eight people were aboard the aircraft, which is registered as N726SH. The agency said it is investigating the incident and noted the information released Sunday is preliminary and subject to change.
Air traffic control recordings captured the moments surrounding the incident, including the pilot declaring a mayday 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.”
Firefighters and marine units respond after a seaplane came down in New York City’s East River near the NY Skyport on July 5, 2026. Two people suffered minor injuries, officials said. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
Authorities have not identified the pilot or passengers, and it was not immediately clear what led to the hard landing.
Video from the scene showed first responders surrounding the aircraft as it floated upright in the East River while rescue crews worked to remove those aboard. Additional video 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.
The FAA directed questions regarding the people on board to local authorities. News Media has reached out to the New York City Police Department for additional information.