The aircraft was carrying 10 people

19:37, Sun, Jul 5, 2026 Updated: 19:40, Sun, Jul 5, 2026

A screenshot showing the aircraft landing in river

The seaplane made a 'hard landing' on the East River (Image: X)

A seaplane made a crash landing in New York City's East River, alarming onlookers and triggering a race to rescue passengers. The aircraft was carrying 10 people and made a "hard landing" at about midday local time on Sunday (July 5), according to the New York City Fire Department.

There were no apparent injuries, according to city authorities. The fire department said the plane managed to land upright on the water and was being towed back to dock. Images shared on social media show a white plane appearing to lean to one side with the tip of its left wing in the river as a helicopter circles overhead.

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Video on social media shows emergency services vessels approaching the aircraft and rescuers moving in to help those on board get out of the seaplane.

The New York Post reported that the river was choppy when the seaplane landed and and took on water.

A social media user who claimed to have seen the landing, wrote on X: "Can see it from my window. Brutal".

Another shocked onlooker posted: "I just watched a plane crash into the East River".

While a third commented: "Holy s***, there's a plane in the East River".

The privately-owned Quest Kodiak 100 aircraft reportedly took off from The Hamptons, an exclusive area on Long Island.