Seaplane Splash! 8 People Rescued After Hard Landing in Manhattan River

Sun Sep 06 2026 05:13:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

When a seaplane splashed into the East River, first‑responders were on the scene in minutes. Eight crew members were rescued and two minor injuries were noted, while the incident fuels a fresh FAA investigation.

A Kodiak 100 seaplane landed hard in New York’s East River at lunchtime, causing a snapped wing strut and a partial capsizing. Fire crews pulled out eight passengers; two were lightly hurt but declined medical help. The FAA says the pilot landed with excessive vertical speed, likely struck by a wave, and will probe the cause. This is not the first river mishap—another seaplane was damaged by a wave two weeks earlier. The incident highlights the risks of water‑based flight in busy city waterways.

Unplanned Showers for Seaplane Crew

8 people rescued from a Kodiak 100 that made a hard landing in the East River. Firefighters responded within minutes of finding the aircraft upright and towed it back to a dock. Two passengers suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention.

The FAA’s statement said the pilot “made a hard landing,” a move that stresses the aircraft’s wing strut beyond design limits. Emergency crews reported the seaplane hit a wave just shy of the marina, leading to a partial capsizing.

This event follows another wave‑related mishap earlier in June when a small two‑seater took off near Queens and was brought down by a large swell. NYC’s busy waterways seem to have a knack for surfacing aviation experiments.

The FAA will investigate, and the incident reminds everyone that flying over rivers is a tricky business—especially when you’re cutting a jet‑set trip from the Hamptons straight into Manhattan’s waterway.