NYPD search and rescue boats investigate the scene of the plane crash on the Hudson River. Photo: Julio Cortez

New York: The pilot of a World War II-era plane was killed when his aircraft crashed in the Hudson River off Manhattan after developing engine failure, authorities and local media said on Saturday.

The aircraft went down off Manhattan's West 79th Street, a few kilometres south of the George Washington Bridge, at around 7:30pm on Friday, New Jersey State Police Sergeant Jeff Flynn said.

Friday's crash was close to where the pilot of a US Airways jetliner executed a perfect water landing in January 2009 after striking a flock of birds and losing power in both engines. All 155 passengers and crew survived that incident, which was dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson."

The pilot was killed when his plane crashed into the Hudson River in New York.

The New York Police Department identified a body recovered from the vintage plane's wreckage as that of William Gordon, 56, of Key West, Florida.

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The aircraft's engine failed during the flight, Gary Lewi, a spokesman for the American Airpower Museum, a Long Island-based facility where the plane was based, told Newsday.

Police would not comment on the cause of the crash, and said an investigation was underway. The plane was expected to be brought to shore soon, New York police spokesman Brian Magoolaghan said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was a vintage P-47 Thunderbolt and was one of three aircraft that took off from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York.

Flynn said the plane was in the area because of Fleet Week, a week-long celebration of the US military's seafaring service members. The other two aircraft safely returned to the airport.

Reuters