Small plane from Long Island lands in Hudson River; two rescued

Call this one the little miracle on the Hudson.

A small plane that departed from Long Island lost power and made an emergency landing in the Hudson River Monday night — and both people on board survived, officials said.

The aircraft went down just south the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge about 8:08 p.m., according to Orange County officials.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told News 12 that the single-engine plane lost power before the pilot attempted the river landing. A 911 call reporting the distress came in shortly after 8 p.m.

First responders pulled the pilot and a passenger from the water alive. They were taken to a local hospital for observation and are expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

A Long Island MacArthur Airport spokesperson confirmed to News 12 that the Cessna took off from one of its runways and crashed in the river north of New Windsor.

“Earlier this evening, we received a distress call regarding a small aircraft that had made an emergency landing in the Hudson River,” Neuhaus wrote on Facebook. “At this time, we can report that all occupants have been recovered alive and are being treated at a local hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul called it “another miracle on the Hudson” in a post on X, saying both occupants were located with only minor injuries and praising first responders for their quick action.

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

The icy landing recalls US Airways Flight 1549, the January 2009 emergency in which Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles safely ditched an Airbus A320 in the Hudson after a bird strike disabled both engines shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport.

All 155 passengers and crew members survived.

_{Top: The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (Unsplash).}