Daijiworld Media Network – New York

New York, Jul 6: Eight people were rescued after a seaplane made a hard landing in New York City's East River on Sunday, with two passengers sustaining minor injuries, officials said.

According to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), the incident occurred shortly after 12 noon in the East River near East 23rd Street along the FDR Drive in Manhattan.

The FDNY said emergency crews rescued all eight occupants from the aircraft, while emergency medical technicians treated two people for minor injuries. The seaplane was later towed to a nearby dock.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft's wing strut snapped during the hard landing on the river.

Air traffic control recordings released by ATC.com captured the pilot issuing a Mayday distress call before making the emergency water landing.

Flight tracking data indicated that the seaplane had departed from East Hampton Airport.

Additional air traffic control communications indicated that another aircraft and a New York City Police Department helicopter confirmed that all passengers had safely exited the aircraft and that its wing strut had broken.

Videos from the scene showed the aircraft floating upright in the river with its left wing partially submerged.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.