A seaplane carrying eight passengers and crew crashed into New York City’s East River on Saturday evening in a violent hard landing that left multiple people injured and the aircraft partially submerged near Manhattan’s Skyport terminal.
Terrifying Moments Captured on Video
Footage from inside the Kodiak 100 seaplane recorded the harrowing impact as the aircraft slammed into choppy waters approaching the terminal at 23rd Street and FDR Drive. A loud boom echoed through the cabin when the plane first struck the river’s surface, followed by audible gasps from passengers. The aircraft violently rocked up and down against the waves before coming to rest with one wing completely underwater. Nervous laughter filled the cabin as passengers realized they had survived, though sirens could be heard approaching in the background.
The two pilots instructed everyone to remain calm and keep their life vests ready as the disabled plane bobbed in the water. Emergency crews arrived quickly to evacuate all passengers and crew. At least two people suffered minor injuries requiring medical attention, according to officials at the scene.
Young Passenger Describes Family’s Ordeal
Khloe Todd, 16, was returning from a birthday celebration in East Hampton when disaster struck. The teenager described the incident as a serious crash that left her grandmother Ada severely shaken with swollen ribs, back, and head injuries. Todd said her grandmother felt so unwell the family considered taking her to the hospital that night. For the 16-year-old, it was her first experience in a seaplane, and she described herself as traumatized by the ordeal despite her family’s extensive flying experience.
Company Blames Weather and Boat Traffic
Acadian Seaplanes, operating the flight through Blade Air, attributed the hard landing to difficult water conditions created by Saturday night storms and heavy ferry traffic. Company representatives explained that waves generated by passing vessels can create serious problems during water landings, particularly when combined with sudden wind gusts. After passengers were safely evacuated, crews righted the damaged aircraft and towed it back to the docks. The plane’s ownership and detailed flight information remain unavailable through FAA records and flight tracking systems.
Second East River Incident in Weeks
This crash marks the second seaplane emergency on the East River in less than a month. Another aircraft required rescue near the Throggs Neck Bridge after being struck by a wave during takeoff, leaving it struggling in the water. Police confirmed an ongoing investigation into Saturday’s incident, though no determination has been made regarding pilot error or mechanical failure. The repeated incidents raise questions about seaplane safety protocols in New York’s busy waterways during adverse weather conditions.