A small plane made what was called a “soft crash” in the Hudson River, near Haverstraw earlier this week. The incident occurred within the ten-mile evacuation zone around the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

Assemblyman Ryan Karben of Rockland County said the plane crash highlights the need for a no-fly zone over the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

“Today’s plane crash occurred only a short distance from a major nuclear reactor,” said Karben, “Establishing a no-fly zone and disrupting a flight pattern is a small price to pay if it means ensuring the safety and security of millions of New Yorkers.”

The pilot of the small plane, Ilan Reich, 50, of New York City, may have had a medical problem. He was able to deploy a parachute attached to the plane to soften the impact. Reich was taken to a hospital for treatment and observation.