U.S. Airways Flight 1549
U.S. Airways Flight 1549 is a notable aviation incident that occurred on January 15, 2009, shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. The aircraft, an Airbus A320, encountered a flock of Canada geese, which struck its engines and caused them to fail. With no thrust, the pilots, Captain Chesley Sullenberger III and First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles, were unable to reach any nearby airports. They expertly executed an emergency water landing in the Hudson River, managing to keep the aircraft intact.
All 155 people on board, including passengers and crew, were safely evacuated thanks to the quick response from nearby ferry boats and the crew's efficient use of emergency procedures. The incident was widely praised, and investigations found no fault with the crew, highlighting their professionalism and decision-making skills under extreme pressure. Captain Sullenberger became a celebrated figure, recognized for his leadership during the crisis and his emphasis on the importance of experience and training in ensuring safety. The event has since become a significant example of successful crisis management in aviation history.
U.S. Airways Flight 1549
The Event: After the engines of US Airways Flight 1549 were disabled by a collision with geese, pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed the aircraft in the Hudson River.
Date: January 15, 2009
Place: Hudson River, near Weehawken, New Jersey
In early January 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 encountered a flock of Canadageese several minutes after takeoff. Some of the birds struck the engines of the Airbus A320 aircraft, causing significant damage. Without thrust, the airplane was unable to reach an airport, forcing the pilots to perform an emergency landing in the Hudson River. There were no causalities, and the actions of the crew were universally lauded.
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 departed from LaGuardia Airport in New York City heading to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina. First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles was flying the aircraft, with Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III serving as monitor. The aircraft carried a total of 150 passengers, three cabin crew members, and two pilots.
Shortly after the Airbus A320 became airborne, it flew into a flock of Canada geese. Several of the large birds struck both of the plane’s turbofan engines, causing them to lose power. Sullenberger took control, and the crew began following emergency procedures. After several unsuccessful attempts to reignite the engines, the pilots realized they would be unable to reach LaGuardia or the nearby Teterboro Airport. Sullenberger decided to attempt a water landing on the Hudson River.
Using the plane’s manual steering mechanism, Sullenberger landed the plane in the water while keeping the vessel intact. The crew evacuated the passengers onto the wings and into inflatable emergency rafts. The proximity of the floating airplane to nearby boat terminals aided the rescue operations. Commercial ferry boats were among the first responders and were able to begin evacuation efforts within minutes of the landing. The National Transportation Safety Board accident report revealed no fault of the crew and found their professionalism to be of the highest standard.
Impact
The actions of Captain Sullenberger and the crew of US Airways Flight 1549 became an example of timely and professional decision making under pressure. The captain and crew received the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Master’s Medal. Captain Sullenberger became a celebrity hero, and was honored at high-profile events such as President Barack Obama’s inauguration and the 2009 Super Bowl. He emphasized that experience and training were the determining factors in the successful outcome of the incident.
Bibliography
Lisberg, Adam. “City to Honor Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger and Crew.” Daily News. NYDailyNews.com, 7 Feb. 2009. Web. 10 Aug. 2012.
National Transportation Safety Board. Loss of Thrust in Both Engines After Encountering a Flock of Birds and Subsequent Ditching on the Hudson River US Airways Flight 1549 Airbus A320-214, N106US Weehawken, New Jersey January 15, 2009. Washington: National Transportation Safety Board, 4 May 2010. PDF file.
Newman, Rick. “How Sullenberger Really Saved US Airways Flight 1549.” U.S.News & World Report. U.S. News & World Report LP, 3 Feb. 2009. Web. 10 Aug. 2012.