Helicopter Lands in Hudson River, No One Injured. Pilot Says Landing 'Could Have Been Smoother.'

Shortly before noon on Sunday a helicopter carrying five people, four tourists from Sweden and a pilot, was able to safely land in the Hudson River after the engine lost power, according to The New York Times.

The pilot of the helicopter, 23-year-old Michael Campbell, described the ordeal to the New York Post.

"All of a sudden, I head the noises, a big boom," Campbell said. "I had about 20 seconds before I hit the ground. I first had to confirm my biggest fear - that the engine was out. I just needed to stay calm - because if I panicked, I knew it wouldn't be a very good ending."

The Fire Department of New York Deputy Chief Thomas McKavanagh lauded the performance under pressure by Campbell who said that he was "just doing my job."

"The pilot did a terrific job, considering he lost his engine power, and landed his ship safely," McKavanagh told the New York Post. "He was able to get this helicopter to land upright and with minimal impact."

The helicopter was equipped with inflatable pontoons that allowed it to float once it touched down in the river. Once the helicopter landed the passengers were assisted by a boater who happened to be in the area to witness the entire thing.

"In the beginning we thought it was an exercise, just a helicopter trying to land in the water," Sebastian Berthele told the New York Post. "When we saw the floaters we thought maybe that's just practice. But when it hit the water, it hit hard."

Berthele and his family carried the pilot to shore while other boaters rescued the passengers.

"Some civilians in their small boats and jet skis were the first ones out there," McKavanagh said. "They were able to take a family on their small boats and bring them into the 79^th street boat basin."

Berthele also told the New York Post about the conversation he had with Campbell once they rescued him.

"I congratulated him on the landing," Berthele said. "He said there was a mechanical problem. I said, 'Well, nice landing. We saw it.' He said, 'It could have been smoother. I'm happy everyone's alive. I'm happy everyone's OK.'"