Pilot declares mayday before seaplane comes down in New York City’s East River

Eight people were rescued after a seaplane made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift emergency response from firefighters after the aircraft came down near the city's only seaplane terminal, officials said.

The New York City Fire Department told Fox News Digital it received a call at 12:01 p.m. reporting a plane in the water near the NY Skyport at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive in Manhattan.

Fire crews arrived to find the seaplane upright in the water. FDNY units removed all eight people aboard before the aircraft was towed back to a nearby dock, the department said.

Two civilians suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene, according to the FDNY. No additional injuries were immediately reported.

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The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Kodiak 100 seaplane and told Fox News Digital the pilot made a hard landing in the East River at about noon local time, causing a wing strut to snap.

The aircraft departed East Hampton Airport on Long Island and was headed to the Skyport seaplane terminal in Manhattan, according to The New York Times and CNN.

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The NY Skyport on Manhattan's East Side is New York City's only seaplane terminal, serving scheduled and charter flights to destinations throughout the Northeast.

The FAA said eight people were aboard the aircraft, which is registered as N726SH. The agency said it is investigating the incident and noted the information released Sunday is preliminary and subject to change.

Air traffic control recordings captured the moments surrounding the incident, including the pilot declaring a mayday before the aircraft came down in the river. Separate radio traffic captured a New York City Police Department helicopter responding to reports of a "plane down in the water."

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Authorities have not identified the pilot or passengers, and it was not immediately clear what led to the hard landing.

Video from the scene showed first responders surrounding the aircraft as it floated upright in the East River while rescue crews worked to remove those aboard. Additional video showed the seaplane being towed back toward the dock after the rescue operation concluded.

The incident prompted a large emergency response to the East River waterfront as FDNY marine units and other first responders converged on the area.

The FAA directed questions regarding the people on board to local authorities. Fox News Digital has reached out to the New York City Police Department for additional information.