Small Plane Crash-Lands in Hudson River Near Newburgh-Beacon Bridge; Two Escape With Minor Injuries

By Daily Monroe Staff

A small plane made an emergency landing in the icy Hudson River Monday night near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, with both occupants managing to escape safely with only minor injuries, according to authorities.

The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m. when a Cessna 172 lost power and was forced to land in the river just south of the bridge, near Stewart International Airport.

New York State Police said airport operations had been in communication with the aircraft before it went down. First responders from multiple local agencies, including the Middle Hope Fire Department, searched the area and located the plane submerged among floating ice.

Officials said the pilot and passenger were able to self-extricate from the aircraft and swim through the frigid waters to shore near 401 Water Street. Both were evaluated at the scene and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with minor injuries. They are expected to make a full recovery.

Flight data indicates the privately owned aircraft departed from Long Island MacArthur Airport around 6:55 p.m. and crashed roughly an hour later near Stewart International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed two people were on board and said it is investigating the cause of the emergency landing. The National Transportation Safety Board is also involved in the investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting local agencies and monitoring the area for any potential environmental impact.

Gov. Kathy Hochul referred to the safe outcome as “another miracle on the Hudson,” drawing comparisons to the 2009 emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, in which all 155 passengers and crew survived.

Authorities said more information will be released as the investigation continues.

Photo: Middle Hope Fire Dept.