Update March 3, 2026, 3:30 p.m.

On March 2, 2026, at approximately 8:02 p.m., Orange County 911 received a report from Stewart International Airport Operations that a Cessna 172N experiencing mechanical failure had made an emergency landing on the Hudson River approximately 2.3 miles south of the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge near the City of Newburgh shoreline.

A coordinated multi-agency response was immediately initiated. Responding agencies included the City of Newburgh Police Department, Town of Newburgh Police Department, Town of New Windsor Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police Aviation Unit, Underwater Recovery Team, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit, and Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Montgomery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Orange County Department of Emergency Services, multiple EMS agencies, and area fire departments including marine units.

The aircraft had departed Long Island MacArthur Airport for a scheduled training flight. While returning from Stewart International Airport, the aircraft experienced engine failure. The flight instructor, Liam D’arcy, age 31, of Southampton, NY declared a Mayday and, after determining the aircraft could not safely reach the runway, conducted an emergency landing on an ice-covered portion of the Hudson River 200 feet from the city of Newburgh shoreline.

D’arcy and his student pilot, 17-year-old of Locust Valley, NY, self-extricated from the aircraft, swam to shore, and were located by responding officers. Both were transported to a local hospital, treated for hypothermia, and later released.

Preliminary investigation indicates no signs of impairment, no evidence of criminality, and the incident appears accidental in nature. The investigation remains ongoing.

The investigation is on-going, and the State Police are working in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, United States Coast Guard, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.   

Original Press Release March 3, 2026, at 8:13 a.m.

On March 2, 2026, at approximately 8:02 p.m. State Police at Montgomery responded to a report of a plane crash in the Hudson River south of the Newburgh Beacon Bridge.

It was revealed that Stewart International Airport operations were in communication with a Cessna airplane that landed in the Hudson River. Both occupants self-extricated and were found on shore near 401 Water Street and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital with minor injuries.

State Police in conjunction with the National Transportation Safety Board are actively investigating the incident. More information will be released as it becomes available.