A new “miracle on the Hudson” set first responders rushing to the scene, struggling to locate a plane after it came down in the icy waterway north of New York City.
(Video Credit: News 12)
An investigation is underway by the Federal Aviation Administration after a Cessna 172 made an emergency landing reminiscent of Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s 2009 feat that ensured the safety of 155 people. Though only two people were on board the flight that departed Long Island Monday evening, the situation was no less serious after setting down in the frigid waters of the Hudson River.
Detailing the response to the emergency landing, the Middle Hope Fire Department posted to social media around 8 p.m. that it had been dispatched to the scene, “On arrival, units were initially unable to locate the aircraft in the water, at the reported location.”
“After a few minutes of searching the area by several first responders, the plane was ultimately located within the City of Newburgh,” continued the post, which included an image of the partially submerged aircraft surrounded by ice floating downriver toward the city less than 70 miles away.
It was reported that the two people aboard the plane had been able to free themselves from the aircraft and swim to shore before they were transported to a nearby hospital. According to The Weather Channel, the low temperature for Newburgh on Monday was 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the time of this post, a reason for the emergency landing had yet to be identified. Likewise, no explanation was given as to why the plane had been unable to reach nearby New York Stewart International Airport in New Windsor.
Among those reacting to the emergency landing, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) was quick to draw the comparison to Sullenberger’s US Airways Flight 1549 as she had posted to X, “Another miracle on the Hudson. 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. Grateful to our first responders for their quick actions.”
Another miracle on the Hudson.
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.
Grateful to our first responders for their quick actions.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 3, 2026
Other elected officials commenting on the incident included Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus (R) and New York Rep. Pat Ryan (D).
“Earlier this evening, we received a distress call regarding a small aircraft that had made an emergency landing in the Hudson River,” said Neuhaus. “At this time, we can report that all occupants have been recorded alive and are being treated at a local hospital and are expected to make a full recovery. We are so proud of all the first responders that were part of this successful rescue.”
Ryan wrote, “I’m closely monitoring reports of a small plane making an emergency landing near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. I’m in touch with officials on the ground, who have shared that both passengers are safely out of the water & have been evacuated by EMS. Incredibly grateful for our Hudson Valley first responders who are responding swiftly and put their lives on the line to keep others safe.”
I’m closely monitoring reports of a small plane making an emergency landing near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.
I’m in touch with officials on the ground, who have shared that both passengers are safely out of the water & have been evacuated by EMS.
Incredibly grateful for our…
— Rep. Pat Ryan (@RepPatRyanNY) March 3, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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