Eight rescued after seaplane crashes into New York City's East River

The privately-owned Quest Kodiak 100 seaplane crashed into the river on Sunday, with two passengers sustaining minor injuries in the incident - it was the second rescue of this kind within the last month

Tannur Anders UK & World News Reporter

02:03, 06 Jul 2026

[Emergency services respond to a crashed seaplane in the East River on July 5, 2026 in New York City]

Emergency services respond to a crashed seaplane in the East River on July 5, 2026 in New York City(Image: Getty Images)

Eight individuals have been saved following a seaplane crash into a river, marking the second rescue of this kind within the last month.

The privately-owned Quest Kodiak 100 aircraft plunged into New York City's East River on Sunday, June 5 just after noon, while it was en route to the city's east side seaplane terminal.

Reportedly, the plane had taken off from The Hamptons, an upmarket area on Long Island. The seaplane seemed to have partially capsized, with one wing submerged in the water.

[The airplane that crash landed off the marina at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive in Manhattan after traveling from East Hampton]

The airplane that crash landed off the marina at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive in Manhattan after traveling from East Hampton(Image: Getty Images)

Video footage revealed at least five boats and another seaplane assisting in the rescue operation between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Two passengers suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident, reports the Mirror.

All passengers were successfully rescued and the seaplane was towed to the docks.

[The New York Fire Department said all passengers were rescued safely]

The New York Fire Department said all passengers were rescued safely(Image: Getty Images)

Article continues below

This marks the second time a Kodiak 100 seaplane has been rescued from the East River in the past month, following an incident where a plane was hit by a wave during take-off near the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens.

An investigation into the crash is currently underway, according to the police department.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.