Horror: Airbus crashes in Hudson River; Update: Everyone safe
posted at 4:03 pm on January 15, 2009 by Allahpundit
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If you’re wondering why it’s still in one piece, it’s because it couldn’t have been in the air for more than 90 seconds or so to have started at LaGuardia and ended up in the Hudson. No details yet, but I’ll be curious to see what the top altitude was.
The cause, if you can believe it, is apparently a collision with a flock of geese. There are survivors; ferries in the river are pulling them off the wings. You can watch live at MSNBC. Stand by for updates.
Update: Surreal footage from CNN. I confess, I didn’t know that planes float.
Update: It’s 20 degrees right now in NYC, incidentally. Wind chill: Seven degrees.
Update: Get a load of this. I’m cautiously optimistic that everyone’s going to be rescued.
Update: CBS NY says it was in the air for six full minutes and made it up to 3,200 feet. I’m amazed it’s intact. The pilot must have brought it down at a remarkably gentle angle.
Update: Ah, here’s why it was in the air for so long — they were actually trying to return to LaGuardia.
The plane, US Airways flight 1549, took off from LaGuardia Airport at 3:26 p.m. was bound for Charlotte, N.C. and had 146 passengers and 5 crew members. The plane may have hit a flock of birds, according to a F.A.A. report, and then descended. The pilot tried to return to the airport when the plane fell into the Hudson.
Evidently there are injuries, but maybe just hypothermia and shock. No reports of deaths yet.
Update: I hope this guy’s right because it looks the plane’s sinking now:
“Prepare for impact” – all that was said by the pilot before the landed in the river according to passenger Alberto Panero in a phone interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
“Somehow the plane stayed afloat and we were all able to get on the raft,” said Panero. “Some people were on the wings and had to wait there but most of the people were able to get on the raft.”…
“I can’t say 100% but I’m pretty sure everyone was able to get off,” he said. “It was just like a car crash, the impact.”
Update: An eyewitness describes the “incredibly controlled” landing, almost like a sea plane.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Update: The FAA says everyone’s alive. I see a promotion in someone’s future.
Update: Meet the hero. A quote from Time Magazine: “At a press conference soon after the incident, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the pilot walked up and down the aisle twice to make sure no one was left on the plane.”
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Haven’t read all the posts here but I’m curious why the trolls haven’t blamed BOOOOOOSH for this…
katy on January 15, 2009 at 8:33 PM
There is not enough of a change to matter at all with water. Water is not motor oil or molasses. Its going to be substantially the same, never enough to matter.
And no, you can not compress water.
firepilot on January 15, 2009 at 8:46 PM
sounds like the pilot did a great job..
I am glad for all the souls saved..
jcila on January 15, 2009 at 9:05 PM
i do have one question though?
I am glad no one was seriously hurt from what i understand so far..
But i am waiting for both Al gore, and peta to
Sue the survivors because
the poor lonely homeless hungry birds were
MERCILESSLY MURDED BY those engines spewing harmful co2
into the air..
isnt it obvious that the birds were gasping for air
due to global cooling (ice age) opps – warming…?
And were then murdered by the makers of the jet engines..?
i will bet you give the animal rights and environment wakos 24 hours – 48 hours to issue a statement..
How much you wanna bet?
jcila on January 15, 2009 at 9:08 PM
The pilots, the responders, all did a great job.
These are my beautiful American people!
PattyJ on January 15, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Let’s give full credit to the sailors on those ferries and excursion boats who remembered that their first duty on the water is to save life, and who acted immediately and decisively.
If you consider water compressible, I suggest you try to compress it. Fill a soda bottle to the very top with water and try to squeeze it down.
If water were compressible, then opening a faucet would result in a spurt, then a drop-off, rather than a steady flow. On the other hand, when you have compressible air in the pipe for some reason, you get spurts, noises, and general chaos until it’s cleared. (Domestic freshwater lines are pressurized to around three atmospheres, more or less.)
If water were compressible, then water-based hydraulic systems would not work. They do.
Wikipedia’s entry on compressibility gives the compressibility of water (at 25 degrees Celsius) as 4.6 times ten-to-the-minus-ten square meters per newton. That’s 1/(45,454,545-psi). I’d say that’s as near to incompressible as you need for most purposes.
njcommuter on January 15, 2009 at 9:29 PM
And how I used to sneer at that “In case of a Water Landing” part. Wow!
ronsfi on January 15, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Miracle on the Hudson? How about a very good pilot.
A miracle would be to fly through a flock of birds and have no damage.
Compressible? It’s very simple to understand. If water were compressible, pipes would not burst when they freeze. There will be lots of frozen and burst pipes this winter. You are reminded to keep a faucet dripping during extreme cold, because if the pipe does freeze, there will be an opening to relieve the pressure.
Pelayo on January 15, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Luckily, USAir doesn’t take pets in the cargo hold. I suspect that saved a few lives too.
My analysis indicates that the proximal cause of the accident was that the engines were goosed too much.
unclesmrgol on January 15, 2009 at 9:50 PM
That was a nice save by the Pilot. Good work, sir! Somebody buy that Crew a round (or two), they’re gonna need it.
Katy, sorry I missed you, I was working.
Tony737 on January 15, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Don’t you love it when this kind of ending happens. Makes you proud huh?
katy on January 15, 2009 at 10:09 PM
America! Hell, yeah!!
CurtZHP on January 15, 2009 at 10:22 PM
It didn’t take long for Politicians like Chuck Schumer, and Gary Ackerman to inject themselves into today’s event looking for air/face time.
.
diogenes on January 15, 2009 at 10:27 PM
WOW, just freaking WOW..
I understand he missed the GW bridge by something like 900 feet. If I’m not mistaken, the airbus has some big assed engines hanging from the wings. I can’t imagine the skill necessary to touch down and keep control.
That pilot goes into my Hall of Heroes.
bullseye on January 15, 2009 at 10:37 PM
There is a trace of truth in Ameripundit’s statement, but it isn’t the water that’s the issue — it’s the air. Ultralight pilots like the flying at about 40 degrees F because because lift is increased due to increased air density. If this aircraft was in a boundary stall situation, that may have made a difference.
unclesmrgol on January 15, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Finally some good news. No ONE DIED! Details at 11!
I dont think any lawsuits can fly after the plane didn’t, either. No ones fault.
johnnyU on January 15, 2009 at 11:37 PM
The pilot is a former F-4 Phantom driver. I had a feeling he was ex-military.
*salutes*
Yakko77 on January 15, 2009 at 11:57 PM
God bless our first responders and that wonderful pilot. Now everybody has a great story to tell at their next potluck.
Mojave Mark on January 16, 2009 at 12:12 AM
One more time I am beyond proud of a former USAF pilot and the fantastic New Yorkers who, as usual, rose to the occasion.
Thanks to all the boat folks and a pilot/co-pilot team.
New York, New York!!!
YankeeinCA on January 16, 2009 at 12:31 AM
A thought just occurred to me (sorry if someone else has already pointed this out):
Shortly after Bush takes office – horrific plane disasters in NY (and elsewhere)
Shortly before Bush LEAVES office – what could have been another horrific plane disaster in NY turns into a miraculous turn of events.
Ugly on January 16, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Good Job to US Airways for hiring such a competent and skilled pilot. I would like to know that guys like Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III is in the cockpit when I fly. This plane crash, or in this case, emergency sea landing, actually makes me more inclined to fly US Airways if possible. Way to go Sully!! You have saved many families deep sorrow and tears today and everyone on that plane owes you their life.
Dollayo on January 16, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Don’t you love it when this kind of ending happens. Makes you proud huh? – Katy
Yeah, that was awesome. It also makes me even more proud that the pilot was in the Air Force! Go Zoomies!
Tony737 on January 16, 2009 at 2:02 AM
Oh and let’s not forget the other heroes, the ferryboaters and Coasties who came to the rescue!
Tony737 on January 16, 2009 at 2:05 AM
Remember, the loss of the plane over Belle Harbor was a disaster. The World Trade Center collision and the Pentagon collision were attacks.
njcommuter on January 16, 2009 at 5:20 AM
OK, we are all quick to point out “stupid comments” and I think maybe a few of us cavalierly make our own. But it’s…ok, when WE do it! HAHA
NO! haha…thats how balloons work! Boats are all about displacement. But yes, IF a boat were sealed containing air, it would float, but thats not whats going on in boats.
“Narrow River”??? really? that ain’t Cripple Creek out there! HAHA
I think you meant freezing enough to withstand the plane sliding across it, right?. simply having some ice on top isnt “The Hudson River Freezing”!!! It would be a cold day in Hell before the Hudson Froze!….Hang on a sec…its pretty cold out…New York does seem like Hell…hmmm…lets wait a few minutes.
I’m not buying that either. When it gets cold enough to freeze pipes…They gonna freeze baby!…I dont care if you’re dripping or not. I get the idea though, leave it running so its not stagnant, this will require it to be a little colder before it freezes. Like a running brook, ya know? but a drip? Pressure? Lets say your boiler quits on ya, and at the point where your radiant heat pipe runs under your bay window, gets too cold, having your faucet dripping will not stop that from freezing when the conditions are right… or would that be…wrong? haha
eplain on January 16, 2009 at 6:54 AM
OK!…now its time to correct ME!…hey I dont claim to be smart. I’m just thinkin’
eplain on January 16, 2009 at 6:55 AM
Watching selfless people do their best at what they do, admirable. I used to jumpseat while at FedEx. Cockpit, and cargo hold. I have spoken to couriers and they don’t allow jumpseating cause of 9/11. Bummer for them!
Even though I don’t work there anymore, BRAVO ZULU to the pilot, crew and New Yorkers who stepped in and made sure everybody made it out A-OK and took care of this situation promptly. Geesh, even the infant on board! :D
Yeah I was thinking of pets on USAir. I flew from SJU to PIT with my then Severe Macaw, with me under my seat or in front of it.
What I find shocking, is that NY US PORT Auth. kept that thing from sinking and dragged it to shore as if it was a ship… :O Now that is a big WOW. I wish I was there to see the whole thing unfold.
Now I wonder if it was a small boat or medium sized, if they would have let it sink or would’ve attempted to keep it afloat.
ProudPalinFan on January 16, 2009 at 6:57 AM
With regards to water freezing, I live pretty close to Lake Erie (at the end of the street). I have seen iceberg formations, I have seen it frozen so bad that a PICKUP TRUCK drove a mile to dig a hole and fish on the lake; but I was told years ago that as long as water had current, it would not freeze. Neighbors have a pond w/fish outside. Dunno about being 6 degrees now though ;)
ProudPalinFan on January 16, 2009 at 6:59 AM
Absolutely amazing everyone survived. This pilot should be awarded a medal.
And this is why you DON’T want drunk pilots on the cockpit.
loudmouth883 on January 16, 2009 at 7:13 AM
Drunk pilots “On the cockpit”?…im ok with that, I dont want them IN the cockpit! HAHA
eplain on January 16, 2009 at 7:36 AM
Perhaps now the FAA would like to re-think the “Age 60″ rule (14 CFR Part 121.383(c)).
swash_plate on January 16, 2009 at 9:28 AM
I just looked that the picture of Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, III, now I know what a REAL pilot looks like. Fantastic job, captain and crew!!
Maxx on January 16, 2009 at 10:25 AM
This link shows the radar info on flight 1549. In the air 5 minutes total with max height of 3200 ft and max speed of 215 knots as seen by the radar.
kanda on January 16, 2009 at 11:36 AM
What country do you live in? Lawyers from NY to NC were salivating as the rest of us held our breath.
mankai on January 16, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Great job, Captain Sullenberger.
Lot’s of excitement here – he’s from my hometown and graduated with my mother, my father-in-law, and many family friends.
What a credit to his profession and to America.
TexasAg03 on January 16, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Sully, you did a helluva job, and you’re an American hero. Landing an airliner on a river without cartwheeling, burying a wing with only one engine working, or damaging the fuselage is incredibly difficult, and he saved 150 lives with his skill.
My 17-year-old son is training to be a pilot–he could learn a lot from this incident, and this pilot.
Hats off also to all the Coast Guard personnel and ferryboat captains who picked up passengers. One passenger said that the air reeked of jet fuel–there was a huge danger of an explosion, and the ferryboats went TOWARD the danger (with others on board) to rescue passengers from the plane, which was sinking into frigid waters. They and the pilot and crew are America’s finest.
Memo to John Kerry: Forget about goose-hunting in Ohio–try it around LaGuardia Airport, you can save some lives.
Steve Z on January 16, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Now that the crisis is over and everyone appears safe, I’ve go to ask: did anyone actually use their seat cushion as a flotation device?
JackOfClubs on January 16, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Yes. I saw at least one survivor on TV talking about people using them.
Neither engine was working…
TexasAg03 on January 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM
“There is a trace of truth in Ameripundit’s statement, but it isn’t the water that’s the issue — it’s the air. Ultralight pilots like the flying at about 40 degrees F because because lift is increased due to increased air density. If this aircraft was in a boundary stall situation, that may have made a difference.”
Ah! Now that makes sense WIG, Wing In Ground effect
http://www.se-technology.com/wig/index.php
Wing In Ground effect aerodynamics
Ever since the beginning of manned flight pilots have experienced something strange when landing an aircraft. Just before touchdown it suddenly feels like the aircraft just does not want to go lower. It just wants to go on and on due to the air that is trapped between the wing and the runway, forming an air cushion. The air cushion is best felt in low wing aircraft with large wing areas. This phenomenon is called (aerodynamic) ground effect.
The seaplane Dornier DO-X could only cross the Atlantic when it was flying with its hull just above the wavecrests. In the second World War pilots knew that when they lost an engine or fuel on the way back from the enemy that they could reach home by flying just a few metres above the sea, thus needing less power and saving fuel.
DSchoen on January 16, 2009 at 9:18 PM
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