A Kodiak 100 seaplane carrying eight adults made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday, resulting in only minor injuries after a wing strut snapped during approach. NYPD and FDNY units quickly rescued all occupants from the partially submerged aircraft near East 23rd Street.

While witnesses noted similarities to the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson," officials reported the incident as significantly less severe, with only two passengers treated for minor injuries. The FAA has initiated an investigation into the cause of the landing, which was captured on video by a passenger inside the cabin.

The incident has renewed scrutiny over the safety of Manhattan’s crowded waterways, especially as this marks the second seaplane mishap in the East River within a three-week span. Officials revealed that the plane struck a rogue wave while attempting to land, a frequent hazard in a river heavily trafficked by ferries, commercial ships, and private boats that constantly churn up the water. Compounding the risk, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that air traffic control was not providing services to the aircraft at the time of the hard landing, placing the full responsibility of navigating the chaotic, wake-filled river entirely on the pilot.