Plane Crashes into Hudson River During Emergency Landing

Pilot and passenger survive frigid waters after small plane goes down near Newburgh-Beacon Bridge

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A small Cessna 172 plane crashed into the icy Hudson River on Monday evening while attempting an emergency landing near New York Stewart International Airport. The pilot and passenger miraculously escaped the submerged aircraft and swam to safety, sustaining only minor injuries. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called it "another miracle on the Hudson" in reference to the famous 2009 US Airways flight that landed safely on the river.

Why it matters

Emergency landings on major waterways like the Hudson River are extremely rare and dangerous, especially in cold weather conditions. This incident highlights the skill of the pilot in safely guiding the plane to the river and the bravery of both occupants in escaping the sinking aircraft. It also raises questions about the cause of the power failure that led to the emergency landing.

The details

The Cessna 172 took off from Long Island MacArthur Airport around 6:55 pm and crashed into the Hudson River near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge about an hour later. The plane reportedly lost power and the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing on the river. Emergency responders initially had trouble locating the submerged aircraft, but eventually found it amidst blocks of ice. The pilot and passenger were able to evacuate the plane and swim to shore in the frigid waters.

  • The Cessna 172 took off from Long Island MacArthur Airport around 6:55 pm.
  • The plane crashed into the Hudson River near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge around 8 pm.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York, who called the safe rescue of the pilot and passenger "another miracle on the Hudson".

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What they’re saying

“Thank God both the pilot and passenger of a single-engine plane that performed an ice landing near Newburgh have been located with only minor injuries.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (X)

What’s next

The FAA will investigate the cause of the power failure that led to the emergency landing.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the skill and bravery required to safely land a small plane on a major waterway, especially in challenging winter conditions. It also highlights the importance of effective emergency response and rescue operations in such high-stakes situations.