US Airways Flight 1549

"Miracle on the Hudson"

Route, aircraft, crew and passengers

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 was scheduled to fly from New York City's
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Charlotte Douglas (CLT). The aircraft was an Airbus A320-214 powered by
two turbofan engines.

The pilot in command was 57-year-old Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, a former fighter pilot
who had been an airline pilot since leaving the United States Air Force in 1980. At the time, he had
logged 19,663 total flight hours. He was also a glider pilot and expert on aviation safety.

There were 150 passengers and three flight attendants aboard.

Accident

The flight was cleared for takeoff to the northeast from LaGuardia's Runway 4. With Skiles in
control, the crew made its first report after becoming airborne at 3:25 as being at 700 feet (210 m)
and climbing. At 3:27 the plane struck a flock of Canada geese at an altitude 859 m about 7.2 km
north-northwest of LaGuardia.

Realizing that both engines had shut down, Sullenberger took control while Skiles worked
the checklist for engine restart. The aircraft slowed but continued to climb for a further nineteen
seconds, reaching about 930 m, then began a glide descent, accelerating to 390 km/h, descended
through 500 m.

At 3:27, Sullenberger radioed a Mayday call to New York Terminal Radar Approach Control
(TRACON). Air traffic controller Patrick Harten told LaGuardia's tower to hold all departures, and
directed Sullenberger back to Runway 13. Sullenberger responded, "Unable".

Sullenberger asked if they could attempt to land in New Jersey, mentioning Teterboro
Airport. Controllers obtained permission for a landing on Teterboro's Runway 1. Sullenberger
responded: "We can't do it ... We're gonna be in the Hudson".

Sullenberger commanded over the cabin address system, "Brace for impact", and the flight
attendants relayed the command to passengers. Meanwhile, air traffic controllers asked the Coast
Guard to caution vessels in the Hudson and ask them to prepare to assist with rescue.

Ditching and evacuation

About ninety seconds later, the plane made an unpowered ditching, descending into the
middle of the North River section of the Hudson. Sullenberger opened the cockpit door and ordered
evacuation. The crew began evacuating the passengers through the four overwing window exits and
into an inflatable slide/raft deployed from the front right passenger .
 Water was also entering a hole in the fuselage and through cargo doors that had come open,
so as the water rose the attendant urged passengers to move forward by climbing over seats. Finally,
Sullenberger walked the cabin twice to confirm it was empty.

Rescue

Sullenberger had ditched near boats to facilitate rescue. NY Waterway ferries arrived within
minutes and began taking people aboard. Sullenberger advised the ferry crews to rescue those on
the wings first.

About 140 New York City firefighters responded to nearby docks, as did police, helicopters,
and various vessels and divers. Other agencies provided medical help on the Weehawken side of the
river, where most passengers were taken.

Aftermath

• 5 serious enjuries

• 78 people treated (mostly for minor enjuries and hypotermia)

• 24 passangers and 2 rescuers treated at hospitals