In brief
On 5 July, a Kodiak 100 seaplane made a hard landing in the East River near 23rd Street and FDR Drive, partially capsizing as it struck a wave. Eight people were extracted, two with minor injuries. Fire crews hauled the plane back to the dock as official responders continued rescue operations. The FAA announced a full investigation after the pilot reportedly hit a hard landing that snapped a wing strut. Earlier in June, a smaller two‑seat seaplane suffered damage when a large wave disrupted its takeoff off the river.
Seaplane Hard Landing Near 23rd Street
In the early afternoon of July 5, a Kodiak 100 seaplane touched down unexpectedly in New York City’s East River. Authorities report the aircraft slid into the water near the marina along East 23rd Street and FDR Drive, with a hard landing that caused a wing strut to snap.
Eight passengers and crew were extracted by New York Fire Department units, two of whom sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention. The plane was kept upright and towed back to the dock for assessment before all survivors were safely disembarked.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the incident and noted that air traffic control was not providing services during the landing, a factor that may have contributed to the mishap.
The incident follows a June event when another small, two‑seat seaplane was damaged after a wave interfered with its takeoff. In that earlier case, FDNY rescued a pilot and passenger from the water after the plane dipped near Queens.
