Two people were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after a plane went down in Long Island Sound near Branford on Sunday morning.
New Haven Fire Department said the plane landed in the water six miles away from the airport before 10:30 a.m.
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WATCH HERETweed New Haven Airport said the plane is a Piper Cherokee and two people were on board. Airport officials said Airport officials say the plane was traveling from Bridgeport to an unspecified destination when it declared an emergency with New York air traffic control. It was redirected to Tweed for an emergency landing and was reported down in Long Island Sound shortly after.
The United States Coast Guard said USCG New Haven rescued the two people from the plane.
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SIGN UP “It took us about 15 minutes to get on scene and once we did, a good Samaritan vessel spotted the two people in the water, and we went along side of them and got them out of the water," said Trent Gulliford with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Both people were in stable condition and were taken to the Stony Creek Pier for EMS support. The man and the woman were then brought to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment.
#BREAKING: @USCG Station New Haven rescued 2 people from a downed aircraft, southeast of the Thimble Islands, near Branford, Connecticut. The 2 people were in stable condition and were taken to the Stony Creek Pier for EMS support. More info pending.
— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 1, 2025
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“It wasn’t ideal conditions. It was pretty chilly out. Water temperature was about 58, but when you’re in the water for that long, it gets pretty cold," Gulliford said. He said both were wearing life jackets.
Branford Fire Department described the two people's injuries as minor and said they had symptoms of hypothermia.
"The winds were very crazy. They stuck together so I would say that helped them a bunch and for us to locate them," added U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Kiara Diaz.
According to New Haven Fire Department, the plane is completely submerged in the water. The Coast Guard says the submerged plane will be brought up and ashore by commercial salvage.
The National Transportation Safety Board is waiting on recovery efforts to determine if they will investigate. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to launch an investigation.
