NEW YORK (Jan. 15) — A US Airways plane crashed into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after striking a bird that disabled two engines, sending 150 on board scrambling onto rescue boats, authorities said. No deaths or serious injuries were immediately reported. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said US Airways 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. Brown said the plane, an Airbus 320, appears to have hit one or more birds. A law enforcement official said that authorities are not aware of any deaths and that the passengers do not appear to be seriously injured. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the rescue was still under way. 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. Government officials do not believe the crash is related to terrorism. "There is no information at this time to indicate that this is a security-related incident," Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. "We continue to closely monitor the situation which at present is focused on search and rescue." Witnesses said the plane's pilot appeared to guide the plane down. "I see a commercial airliner coming down, looking like it's landing right in the water," said Bob Read, who saw it from his office at the television newsmagazine "Inside Edition." "This looked like a controlled descent." New York City firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard were responding to the crash. "I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water," said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers look out over the Hudson. "All the boats have sort of circled the area." [UPDATE] Everyone in the plane survived the crash in the water. Source: AOL
That has to be the first time I've heard of a plane crashing into a river. I immediately thought "oh it must have been a light aircraft" but a full airliner? At least no-one died. But I lol'd when they automatically assumed it was a terrorist attack, there are plenty of other things that could have gone wrong that are far more likely.
It didn't really 'crash.' It landed into the river, because the other two engines on the other side were able, but the pilot tried as the best he could to get it onto the river safely. On another note, it was heading for Charlotte, North Carolina. I live by there, actually. xD
Oh wow, when I read the terrorist attack part, I thought "Wow, look what reasoning has come to." It's good that everyone survived though.
I just turned on CNN and saw this. I have o admit i thought it would be like a five person puddle jumper...I was shocked to see a full on plane sitting in the Hudson, especially today with the weather. I'm glad to hear that no one was injured. On a side note...I find an odd duality with the opening episode of 24 with this....
I saw this on the news just now. Its a relief that nobody died or got hurt. It was surprising that it was a full airline plane. At first I thought it was a small jet or something.
They hit a whole 'effin flock of birds >.> It was amazing though, I mean, you can't test out a plane to see if it will float you just have to build it and hope you get it completely right. I thought it was amazing that everyone survived that.
The pilot (who is evidently 100% win) is already being hailed as a hero. The landing he made was flawless. Anyway, lol at the birds, "wow" at the fact that the engines are gone (and they're still looking for 'em XD) and thank Eyeh Asher Eyeh that no one was hurt
I didn't know about this until the morning after when I got told by my mum. Its good that they all got off safely, you don't usually hear about plane crashes with this little casualties where I live.
That was really a good landing by the pilot, since nobody was seriously hurt. I was watching the news about an hour and a half after it happened and heard the story. It's amazing to think that a few birds can take down such a huge plane. But it does make sense, I mean, if something gets caught in an engine, that's some serious damage there.
Wow. I didn't think some ducks could do that much damage... But one thing confused me though. They said when the plane went down, it was into frigid waters, but the water was 40 degrees and the outside air was like 10, so wouldn't it have been better for the passengers to stay in the water? idk...
I live in part of the city...So it was big news here. Yeah, but luckly nobody got hurt, Im really glad to hear that. Also the pilot was a Vet. at this I think (our teacher told us this.)
Being wet causes you to loose heat a lot more quickly even if it's warm. Ever notice when you are at the beach and you come back out of the sea? Even though it's like 35 C with the sun beating down on you you still feel cold. I think it was Canadian geese that the plane hit. Each weighing anywhere from 4 to 12 lbs when planes are designed to withstand impacts with 8 lb birds (one at a time too, not flocks).
