In brief
At roughly 16:00 GMT on 5 July 2026, a Kodiak 100 seaplane performed a hard landing off the East 23rd‑Street marina in Manhattan, snapping a wing strut and bringing the aircraft into the river. New York Fire Department teams swiftly brought eight passengers aboard a rescue boat; two suffered minor injuries but declined medical care. The FAA is investigating, noting that air‑traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time. This incident adds to a recent wave‑related mishap on the East River, underscoring the risks of waterborne aviation in a bustling urban waterway.
At midday, a Kodiak 100 seaplane collided with the East River near the East 23rd‑Street marina and FDR Drive in Manhattan. Emergency crews evacuated eight passengers from the upright aircraft, towing it to the dock before it sank. Two rescued occupants reported minor bruises and did not seek medical treatment.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated the pilot performed a "hard landing," exceeding the aircraft’s vertical‑speed limits and causing a wing strut to snap. A subsequent investigation will examine the incident and determine whether air‑traffic control was responsible for providing guidance.
This mishap echoes a recent wave‑related crash on the river, when a small two‑seat seaplane was lifted into the air as it attempted to take off, prompting the FDNY to ferry the pilot and passenger onto a boat. Both events raise concerns about weather and wave patterns that can jeopardise waterborne aviation in a bustling city.
Residents and visitors to the East River now face increased scrutiny, as authorities evaluate the safety regulations governing seaplane operations in New York City’s crowded waterways.
