Another "Miracle on the Hudson?" New details revealed in small plane's emergency landing in the river
A conversation between air traffic control and the pilot of a small plane reveals the moments before the plane pulled off an emergency landing in the Hudson River in Orange County.
The pilot and passenger took off on the Cessna 172 from Long Island just before 7 p.m. Monday, according to FlightAware.
Just under an hour into the flight, the pilot and air traffic controllers from Stewart International Airport were communicating so the plane could land, according to audio from Broadcastify.com.
"I think we're losing our engine," the pilot said. "I think I might have to put it in the water."
"We're going into the Hudson River. I don't think we're gonna make the airport," he said.
The pilot tells officials they have a "little bit of power, but it's very rough."
The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was experiencing engine issues.
Plane lands in icy waters
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane landed around 8 p.m. near the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.
The two on board were able to get out of the plane and swim through the icy water to shore. They were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, according to Middle Hope firefighters.
Pictures showed the plane floating in chunks of ice on Monday night.
"The plane is currently in the ice. It has not been tied up. We can't get to it at this time. And our boat can't be launched to get to it," responders said during the emergency call.
Video from the scene Tuesday morning showed the Cessna 172 still in the water.
Mini miracle on the Hudson
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called the incident "another miracle on the Hudson," referencing the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on Jan. 15, 2009. All 155 people on board survived after the aircraft landed on the Hudson River off Manhattan.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, "We are so proud of all the first responders that were part of this successful rescue."
State police and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
