Eight rescued from seaplane that made 'hard landing' in Manhattan river

July 5, 2026

A seaplane carrying eight people made a hard landing in New York City's East River near Manhattan, resulting in a damaged wing strut but no serious injuries. The Kodiak 100 aircraft, reportedly traveling from the Hamptons to a seaplane base, struck a wave during landing and partially capsized before being towed to dock while remaining upright. Fire department units rescued all eight passengers, with only two sustaining minor injuries that didn't require medical treatment.

Who is affected

Eight people aboard the Kodiak 100 seaplane (two with minor injuries who refused medical attention)
The pilot of the seaplane
New York Fire Department units who responded
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will investigate

What action is being taken

The FAA is investigating the incident
New York fire officials responded to the scene and rescued the passengers
The seaplane was towed back to the dock

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns with seaplane operations in New York City's East River, particularly given that this is the second seaplane accident in the same waterway within a three-week period. The pattern of wave-related incidents suggests potential challenges with water conditions or landing procedures that could affect the safety of seaplane travel between Manhattan and popular destinations like the Hamptons.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC