Weird Story About The Airplane That Crashed In The Hudson River In NYC
This was recorded at the home of my friend Jay Walker who has a private library that he calls The lLbrary of Human Imagination. He was telling my sons back then, about the famous Hudson River plane crash where all survived.
To see more from this tour of the library go here - • Kids Take A Magical Tour Of An Unbelievabl...
The incident is the "Miracle on the Hudson," which occurred on January 15, 2009, when Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River after a bird strike disabled both engines. Here’s a detailed description of the incident:
On that day US Airways Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Airbus A320-214, piloted by Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, had 155 people on board, including passengers and crew.
Just three minutes after takeoff, at approximately 3,000 feet over the Bronx, New York, the aircraft encountered a flock of Canada geese. The geese were ingested into both engines, causing almost immediate engine failure. Both engines lost thrust, and the plane began to lose altitude rapidly.
Captain Sullenberger and First Officer Skiles quickly assessed the situation. They realized they did not have sufficient power or altitude to return to LaGuardia Airport or reach any other nearby airport. After briefly considering a return to LaGuardia and a diversion to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, Captain Sullenberger determined that neither option was feasible due to the plane's rapidly decreasing altitude and speed.
With limited options and only seconds to decide, Captain Sullenberger made the critical decision to perform a water landing (ditching) in the Hudson River, which runs along the west side of Manhattan. He announced to the passengers, "Brace for impact," instructing the cabin crew to prepare for an emergency landing.
Captain Sullenberger expertly glided the powerless plane down toward the Hudson River, maintaining a controlled descent. At 3:31 p.m., just about six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1549 made a successful water landing in the Hudson River, near Midtown Manhattan. The landing was remarkably smooth, and the aircraft remained largely intact, allowing for a controlled evacuation.
After the aircraft came to a stop in the river, the crew and passengers began evacuating the plane onto the partially submerged wings and inflatable slides that doubled as life rafts. The water temperature was frigid, just above freezing, and there was an immediate need to get everyone off the plane as quickly as possible to avoid hypothermia.
Within minutes, nearby ferries, commuter boats, and emergency responders converged on the scene. These vessels, along with rescue personnel from the New York Police Department (NYPD), Fire Department of New York (FDNY), and U.S. Coast Guard, played a crucial role in rescuing the passengers and crew from the icy waters.
All 155 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the plane and survived the incident, with only a few people suffering serious injuries. Captain Sullenberger and his crew were widely praised for their quick thinking, professionalism, and calm demeanor under extreme pressure, which were instrumental in saving the lives of everyone on board.
The "Miracle on the Hudson" became an international news sensation and is widely regarded as one of the most successful emergency landings in aviation history. Captain Sullenberger, in particular, was hailed as a hero and became a symbol of exceptional airmanship and leadership. He was awarded numerous honors, including the Master's Medal of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators and was invited to President Barack Obama's inauguration shortly after the incident.