Small Plane Crashes Into Hudson River, Pilot and Student Swim to Safety

The single-engine Cessna 172 went down south of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge after the pilot reported engine trouble.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A small plane attempting an emergency landing crashed into the frigid Hudson River in New York, but the pilot and his 17-year-old student were able to escape the wreckage and safely swim to shore. The single-engine Cessna 172 went down south of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge shortly after taking off from Long Island MacArthur Airport.

Why it matters

This incident is reminiscent of the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson" when a US Airways jet made an emergency landing in the Hudson River, highlighting the dangers pilots can face and the importance of emergency response preparedness. The Hudson River is a busy waterway, and this crash raises questions about aviation safety and emergency procedures.

The details

The pilot, Liam Darcy, 31, had reported engine trouble shortly before the plane went down. Emergency responders were initially unable to locate the aircraft, but it was spotted a few minutes later in the waters off Newburgh, about 62 miles north of Manhattan. Darcy and his student were treated at a hospital for minor injuries and later released.

  • The crash occurred on Monday night, shortly after the plane took off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
  • The pilot reported engine trouble shortly before the plane went down south of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

The players

Liam Darcy

The 31-year-old pilot of the Cessna 172 plane that crashed into the Hudson River.

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger

The pilot who successfully landed a US Airways jet in the Hudson River in 2009, an incident known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."

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What they’re saying

“Another miracle on the Hudson”

— Kathy Hochul, New York Governor (wsvn.com)

What’s next

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the engine trouble that led to the plane's crash landing in the Hudson River.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation safety and emergency preparedness, as well as the heroic actions of pilots and first responders in the face of unexpected emergencies.