Body found after vintage WWII plane crashes into New York river

Authorities say the body of the pilot killed after his vintage World War II plane crashed into the Hudson River has been recovered

William Gordon, 56, sent out a distress signal after experiencing mechanical issues, according to a New York Police Department spokesperson.

Emergency services raced to the scene and divers recovered Gordon's body from the aircraft around 10.30pm, three hours after the plane crashed.

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Officials say the exact cause of the accident is still unknown but the plane is believed to be one of three aircraft that flew from Farmingdale Airport, east of New York City.

It is understood the aircraft was supposed to be taking part in a promotional video to mark the 75th anniversary of the American Airpower Museum - the other two aircraft retued safely.

 

Gordon's body was recovered from the aircraft around 10.30pm, three hours after the plane went down

Museum spokesman, Gary Lewi, said: "Apparently the (P-47) aircraft suffered an in-flight engine failure and the pilot put it into the Hudson.

"I'm told the aircraft is at the bottom of the Hudson."

The crash has echoes of a 2009 disaster that saw a passenger jet make an emergency landing in the river, but in that incident all 155 passengers and crew were rescued.