Cessna 172 Ditches in Hudson River After Engine Failure, Two Survive

Training Flight Ends in Hudson River Ditching

A Cessna 172N ditched in the Hudson River near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Monday evening, March 2, 2026, around 8:02 p.m. The aircraft, registration N1560E, was conducting a night training flight from Long Island MacArthur Airport to Stewart International Airport when it experienced engine failure involving oil pressure loss and rough power.

Both Occupants Survive Water Landing

Flight instructor Liam D'Arcy and his student pilot, a 17-year-old Locust Valley resident, self-extricated from the submerged aircraft and swam approximately 50 feet through frigid, ice-covered water to shore. Both were treated for hypothermia and released. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul described the incident as another "Miracle on the Hudson."

Investigation and Recovery Ongoing

Authorities found no signs of impairment or criminality during preliminary review. The National Transportation Safety Board, FAA and U.S. Coast Guard are investigating the engine failure. Recovery operations involving crane removal continued Tuesday amid ice floes, though completion timelines remain uncertain.