What happened
On March 2, 2026, at 19:10 EST, a Cessna 172N, registration N1560E, was involved in an accident near Newburgh, New York. The aircraft was being operated by AMERICAN AIRMAN INC as part of a Part 91 instructional flight.
Following a touch-and-go landing at New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), the flight instructor noticed the engine was not producing normal RPM. Upon checking the engine gauges, the instructor observed that the oil pressure was at zero. After declaring an emergency with air traffic control and requesting a direct return to the airport, the engine began running extremely rough before experiencing a total loss of power.
The flight instructor took control of the aircraft from the student pilot. Realizing the airplane could not reach the airport, the instructor opted to land in the Hudson River near the western shore, targeting an area with the most light. The aircraft ditched into broken patch ice and struck submerged structures, causing substantial damage to the fuselage.
The flight instructor and student pilot sustained 2 minor injuries. Both occupants were able to extricate themselves from the aircraft and reach the shore. The aircraft sank until the wings were submerged but remained largely afloat and was recovered the following day.