A Kodiak 100 seaplane carrying up to ten people made a rough landing in New York City's East River near Manhattan on Sunday afternoon, prompting an immediate water rescue by emergency crews after a wing component snapped.
The New York City Fire Department responded to emergency calls at 12:01 p. m.
regarding the aircraft coming down near the marina at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive, just north of the Williamsburg Bridge.
Responders successfully removed eight adults from the upright aircraft and towed the plane back to a nearby dock, with officials reporting either one or two passengers sustained minor injuries.
Flight Details and Witness Accounts
Flight records show the aircraft had departed from the Town of East Hampton Airport at 11:24 a.
m. and was traveling toward the Skyport seaplane base when it reportedly struck a wave.
An NYPD helicopter pilot first alerted air traffic control to the unfolding emergency in the busy waterway.
"Mayday, mayday, mayday," reported the helicopter pilot, as captured on ATC. com audio.
"Plane down in the water."
The helicopter crew monitored the situation from above as nearby civilian vessels began approaching the floating aircraft to offer immediate assistance.
"It looks like the pilot is OK," the helicopter pilot radioed in.
Witness Marcus Hurlburt told The New York Times that he observed at least three individuals climb onto one of the floating pontoons while awaiting emergency responders.
"The pilot did a great job on making sure it didn't turn over," Hurlburt told the newspaper. "He pulled a Sully on that one.
I was so impressed the pilot didn't let it sink."
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the aircraft was built last year and announced it will conduct a full investigation into why the structural wing component failed during the touchdown.
According to FAA social media statements, air traffic control was not actively providing services to the aircraft when the hard landing occurred.
The incident marks the second seaplane accident in the East River within a month, following a June 13 mishap where a two-seater aircraft partially capsized near Queens after hitting a large wave during takeoff.
