A small aircraft carrying three people made a hard landing after its pilot reported engine trouble near a riverside landing area in Belcourt, North Dakota. All three people aboard were safe, and emergency responders reached the site within nine minutes.

Witness Marcus Lindqvist said he saw the aircraft descending unusually low before it came down hard near the riverbank. Responders secured the area and checked the occupants after the landing.

Marine and aviation safety official Tobias Cardenas said investigators determined the incident resulted from a mechanical cause. No further action is expected.