Seaplane Makes Hard East River Landing; All 8 Rescued

A single-engine Quest/Daher Kodiak 100 seaplane made a hard landing on the East River near East 23rd Street and FDR Drive just after noon Sunday, prompting a swift-water rescue that brought all eight occupants to safety, authorities said.

The aircraft, arriving from the Hamptons, struck a wave during touchdown, snapping a wing strut and causing the plane to list with its left wing in the water, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and local reports. New York City Fire Department marine units responded and removed the pilot and seven passengers; two people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, the FDNY said. The seaplane remained afloat and was towed to the NY Skyport dock.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the hard landing. The FAA noted that air traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time — standard practice for visual flight rules seaplane operations. A 16-year-old passenger captured video from inside the cabin during the incident; the footage has circulated widely on social media.