Light Plane Makes Emergency Water Landing in New York's East River, Eight Rescued with Minor Injuries

On June 5, 2026, a light seaplane performed an emergency water landing in New York City's East River, between Brooklyn and Manhattan, shortly after noon local time. The New York Fire Department responded promptly, rescuing eight people from the plane, which remained upright in the water north of the Williamsburg Bridge. According to New York Police, several passengers sustained minor injuries. The fire department received the distress call at 12:01 PM and began towing the aircraft to a dock after the rescue operation.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that one of the plane's wing struts broke during the landing and has launched an investigation into the incident. The owner of the aircraft has not been publicly identified.

Separately, on the same day, Delta Airlines reported that one of its planes was struck by fireworks while descending to Midway Airport in Chicago. Flight 1076's pilot described feeling a strong impact at about 200 feet altitude but managed to land safely without injuries. U.S. authorities have also opened an investigation into this event.