A Kodiak 100 seaplane carrying eight people made a hard landing in New York City's East River near East 23rd Street and FDR Drive around noon on July 6, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The plane had departed from East Hampton Airport on Long Island headed for the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan [1, 2, 4, 6].
During landing, the plane struck a wave in choppy water, causing it to partially capsize and snap a wing strut [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The pilot issued a Mayday distress call just before touching down, prompting a large emergency response including New York City Fire Department units and NYPD helicopters [2, 3, 4, 6].
All eight people on board were rescued by firefighters shortly after landing, with two passengers sustaining minor injuries and receiving either no or minor medical treatment [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Passenger Ada Todd described herself as "in shock, in lots of pain, but happy to be alive" [2]. Recreational boater Dan Thys on the scene said, "The first thing that rang through our mind is how can we help?" [4].
Air traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time of the incident [1, 2, 5, 6]. After the rescue, crews turned the seaplane upright and towed it back to the dock [1, 3, 4, 6].
This accident occurred less than a month after another seaplane was struck by a wave in the East River and required rescue [1, 3, 4].
