All 155 survive plane crash in NYC’s Hudson River
Jan. 15, 2009
Associated Press writers Eileen Sullivan and Michael J. Sniffen in Washington and Harry R. Weber in Atlanta contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP) — A US Airways pilot ditched his disabled jetliner into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after a collision with a flock of birds apparently knocked out both engines, but rescuers pulled all 155 people on board into boats as the plane sank, authorities say.
There were no immediate reports of any serious injuries.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport en route to Charlotte, N.C., when the crash occurred in the river near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan.
The plane, an Airbus 320, took off at 3:26 p.m. and went down minutes later, Brown said.
“There were eyewitness reports the plane may have flown into a flock of birds,” Brown said. She added, “Right now we don’t have any indication this was anything other than an accident.”
Doug Church, spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Union, said that the pilot reported a “double bird strike” about 30 to 45 seconds after takeoff and said he needed to return to LaGuardia.
The controller instructed the pilot to divert to an airport in Teterboro, N.J., for an emergency landing, Church said.
The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows when rescuers in Coast Guard vessels and ferry boats arrived, opened the door and pulled passengers in yellow life vests from the aircraft, whose fuselage appeared intact. The plane was sinking in the near-freezing water on one of the coldest days of the year, with the mercury around 20 degrees.
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He said, “and he was seen searching for underage floating children!”
LMAO!
The Bronx is just 5 blocks from the Hudson. I wonder if the Sloon was there?
I heard that the pilot is being widely praised for his cool demeanor under stress. He was able to bring the plane down safely and no passengers were killed or even hurt.
What about those poor geese?
What is a “miracle” about it? It was the skill of the pilot and crew plus the actions of the rescuers and people that did it.
Also a “hero” is someone who risks his own life to save others. That wasn’t the case here. the pilot was on that plane too. So he was probably saving his own life, and just happenend to save all others in the process.
jMac: Maybe you don’t think it a miracle because the pilots and crew did everything right. If you know anything about winters in New York, the possibility of high winds and a choppy river were real considerations. The river was calm, and there was no wind. Those two factors make the successful landing on the river utterly amazing.
God bless the pilots for staying calm, and reacting so coolly under such circumstances. Talk about time pressure!!
Happy New Year Polly! Best wishes to you and your family!
Paul and I got for you the 2008 Dresden Olympiad pin.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar