In 2009, January 15th will be a day engrained in many's memories as the day US Airways flight US1549 landed on the Hudson River. Fortunately, due to the pilot's and co-pilot's skills (Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III and Jeffrey Skiles), all 150 passengers survived.
Bird Strike
US 1549 was scheduled from La Guardia, New York City (LGA) to Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) and then onwards to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Departing La Guardia at 15:24, the aircraft took off from LGA runway 4 and as the Airbus A320-214 (registration N106US) climbed, the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese at 2,818 feet (859 m).
Capitan Sullenberger and Skiles had remarked on the clear weather that cold winter's morning, with Sullenberger mentioning to Skiles, 'what a view of the Hudson today.'
The flock of birds impaired the pilot's view, and passengers throughout the cabin could hear loud banging noises and flames appearing from the engines. At this time, the aircraft was 4.5 miles (7.2km) north north-west of LGA.
Sullenberger realized both engines were down and took control of the aircraft, attempting an engine restart as the aircraft tried to climb for another 19 seconds to 3,060ft (932m).
Mayday at 15:27
At 15:27, Sullenberger made a mayday call to New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), stating:
... this is Cactus fifteen thirty nine [sic – correct call sign was Cactus 1549], hit birds. We've lost thrust on both engines. We're turning back towards LaGuardia".
Patrick Harten was the Air Traffic Controller that took the call and told La Guardia's tower to hold all departures. As ATC advised US1549 to head back towards LGA, Sullenberger commented 'unable' and requested alternative landing options in New Jersey. At this time, the aircraft had no thrust and was decreasing in altitude
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"We can't do it ... We're gonna be in the Hudson.''
Looking at options in the aircraft's current flight path, Teterborough Airport was suggested, and Sullenberger initially said yes, however, it was quickly realized the aircraft wouldn't make it, and the Captain stated:
"We can't do it ... We're gonna be in the Hudson''.
As N106US passed only 900 feet (270 m) above the George Washington Bridge, passengers were advised to brace for impact. In the meantime, Air Traffic Control notified the US Coast Guard to prepare to assist in the evacuation.
At 15:31, the aircraft ditched into the Hudson River in the North River section of the Hudson tidal estuary, and Sullenberger quickly advised everyone to evacuate. After the passengers had exited the aircraft, the Captain checked and confirmed no one was left onboard, with the last person exiting the aircraft at 15:55.
Approximately 140 New York Fire Fighters attended the incident, as did multiple police, helicopters, boats, and divers. Of all the passengers, 95 sustained minor and five serious injuries.
The Carolina's Aviation Museum purchased N106US, the accident aircraft, where it is still on display.
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Today's reflection by Kelly Sullenberger
Kelly, the daughter of Captain Sullenberger, today reflects on the fateful event that changed her family's life forever. On the date of US1549's fateful flight, Kelly was 14, now 14 years on Kelly recognizes that half of her life was pre and post-that fateful day.
"As a society we watch as people’s worlds get flipped upside down every day. We see parents grieve the loss of their children. We watch viral videos of the aspiring actor getting the opportunity of the lifetime – but we never anticipate that flip will happen to us."
"Fast forward to 2023, 14 years later. For me, as the younger daughter, this milestone is a weird tipping point that nobody yet in my family has experienced. 14 years ago, I was 14 years old. I am at the crossroads of half my life being before Flight 1549 and half being after Flight 1549. Our lives changed drastically that day and have continued to change in ways none of us anticipated."
After 30 years with the airline, in 2010, Captain Sullenberger retired from US Airways. His final flight was US1167, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL), to Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT).
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Sources: Linkedin