US Airways Flight 1549 comes down in Hudson River, New York

by Rachel Nixon | January 15, 2009 at 04:51 pm

27857 views | 90 Recommendations | 46 comments

US Airways Flight 1549 has come down in the frigid Hudson River in New York.

All 155 people on board are believed to have escaped the downed plane in what the New York governor described as a "miracle on the Hudson". Only minor injuries have been reported and tributes have been paid to the pilot, Chesley B "Sully" Sullenberger, III.

US Airways Flight 1549 was leaving LaGuardia airport heading for Charlotte, North Carolina when it went down. The FAA says that Flight 1549 went down shortly after take off.

An aviation incident known as a bird strike is being stated as the reason Flight 1549 went down. Preliminary reports suggest that Flight 1549 may have hit a flock of geese which blew out an engine and prompted pilots to initiate emergency landing procedures.

The pilot radioed air traffic control about a "double bird strike" shortly before attempting to divert the plane to a private air strip in New Jersey. He then told passengers to prepare for an emergency landing.

NowPublic contributor Pythiian 1, who is based in New York City, was on the story quickly interviewing eyewitnesses. Pythiian 1 had this to add to the coverage,

"The passengers were scattered on the water and picked up by rescue boats, ferries, New York waterway, water taxis as they're brought to shore.

FDNY trucks are lining the Westside Highway off the Hudson River to pick up passengers emerging from the water and ferries. Homeland, FBI, and NYPD personnel came to the scene immediately.

150 passengers and 5 crew members were off the plane. Some passengers were brought to Weehawken New Jersey, while most were brought to the New York side.

25-50 passengers were taken to Roosevelt and St.Luke's Hospitals. Major trauma cases are being taken to St. Luke's and St. Vincent Hospitals."

'Miracle on the Hudson'

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid tribute to the pilot of Flight 1549.

He said: "It woud appear the pilot did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and making sure everyone got out." The pilot "walked the plane twice" to ensure all passengers had got out before leaving the plane himself.

Mayor Bloomberg said the NTSB would be investigating the cause of the accident and would be arriving in New York this evening.

At the same press conference, New York Governor David Paterson also paid tribute to the "heroic" US Airways pilot and called the rescue a "miracle on the Hudson".

In a live interview with a rescued passenger identified as Alberto Panero, CNN's Wolf Blitzer reported that all passengers are safe and that the emergency exit was smoothly handled by US Airways staff.

When asked about his feelings immediately after the rescue Alberto Panero replied, "It was a near death experience (that) thankfully did not turn that way." Passengers are crediting pilots and crew with averting a potential tragedy.

President Bush, due to deliver a farewell address to the nation on Thursday evening, issued a statement on the emergency landing.

He said:

Laura and I are inspired by the skill and heroism of the flight crew as well as the dedication and selflessness of the emergency responders and volunteers who rescued passengers from the icy waters of the Hudson. We send our thoughts and prayers to all involved in the accident."

Flight 1549 information

For updates on Flight 1549 try the US Airways hotline 1-800-679-8215.

Doug Parker, US Airways CEO, asked that only family and loved ones of passengers use this number.

Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, was at maximum capacity of 150 seats when it went down, and the total number on board including pilots and crew was 155. As many as 71 people are believed to have been treated for minor injuries at nearby hospitals, including four reported cases of hypothermia.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown says the US Airways Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport enroute to Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday when the crash occurred in the river near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan.
Brown says the plane, an Airbus 320, may have been hit by birds.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows. Rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Several boats surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.

21 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

jordan

flagged this story as Breaking

at 12:52 on January 15th, 2009

Thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Ian Stalvies (not verified)

at 16:28 on January 15th, 2009

... but seriously, how amazing are those photos?

Let's hope all involved are inspired to do great things in life after such a miraculous escape.

A. Tran

at 16:57 on January 15th, 2009

According to local CBS news, apparently, the captain, Chesley Sullenberger III, had enough time to walk the length of the plane to ensure that all passengers were off. There was an infant among the passengers.

The bulkhead of the plane is still floating as it's tied to Battery Park City. NTSB investigators are due to arrive this evening.

Hudson River's tide moves both ways so the NY waterways' civilian rescue personnel were spectacular in saving those passengers.

Rachel Nixon

at 16:59 on January 15th, 2009

It was an amazing effort by the pilot. We've compiled a profile on Chesley Sullenberger III for those who would like to know more about him.

A. Tran

at 18:04 on January 15th, 2009

We'll see how grateful the mayor is for these waterways' personnel ... and he'll also hear from the vocal New Yorkers if he's going ahead with his less than enlightened idea ...

Environmentalists are expressing concerns over the fuel spilled into the Hudson due to this crash.

Uwe Paschen

at 17:04 on January 15th, 2009

Impressive coverage on this. Thank you.

Jennings David L

at 17:04 on January 15th, 2009

Excellent reporting. What a heroic story!

matte

at 17:39 on January 15th, 2009

I am surprised at the lack of eyewitness reports of first hand knowledge - only a couple here. Pics are good - no attribution tho....

Amy Judd

at 21:12 on January 15th, 2009

I have re-time stamped this piece so that it can appear on our homepage for a few more hours, as it is still a relevant piece.

rumana husain

at 21:13 on January 15th, 2009

i was up until late last night in my karachi home and watched the live report on tv. bravo to all concerned who managed to save everyone!

skelastic

at 06:33 on January 16th, 2009

This coast guard boat was salvaging the flotation devices from the aircraft

skelastic has contributed a photo to this story.

Qbans

at 13:35 on January 16th, 2009

Taken from Jersey City, during the plane recovery efforts.

Qbans has contributed a photo to this story.

Fred Miller

at 14:12 on January 16th, 2009

I have something to add via my Blog regarding the hero and his accomplishments.

Interesting and admirable !

http://virtualpoona.blogspot.com/2009/01/proud-mary-is-texan.html

Cameron816 (not verified)

at 18:36 on January 16th, 2009

In a time when we see so much scum who make $millions in bonuses and pay, this is the behavior and heroism that needs to receive a just reward. This captain AND HIS TEAM, put down this craft without it being torn apart where so many would have perished in the icy waters. Nothing but praises also to those who responded so quickly to the rescue. The probabilities of this ending up a horrible tragedy were very high. In a time of despair, we have ALL been inspired and lifted up by this event.

Alexey (Russia) (not verified)

at 14:04 on January 18th, 2009

Bravo american air-pilot!!!

Браво, я надеюсь этого пилота отблагодарят по заслугам.
Он спас 150 человек - настоящий профиссионал своего дела!
Если бы во всех самолетах были подобные ему профи
катастроф вообще можно было бы избежать.

Mary Sandra Houston (not verified)

at 09:04 on January 19th, 2009

I have heard so many conflicting reports that "there were pets aboard", and then "there were no pets aboard" the plane. Why doesn't US Airways issue something about this issue, or are they covering up because of public reactions? Straight answers should come forth.