US Airways Plane Crashes Into Hudson River
By Wyatt Earp | January 15, 2009
Ho. Lee. Crap! Reason #9,165 why I hate flying.
Actually, I don’t mind flying, per se. It’s the thought of crashing that keeps me away from the airlines.
In fairness, reports are saying that the pilots did an extraordinary job putting the plane down as safely as possible, and the FDNY and NYPD are doing a tremendous job during the rescue efforts.
New York City – A U.S. Airways jet crashed Thursday in the Hudson River in New York City, sending passengers fleeing into the icy waters.
It wasn’t immediately known whether anyone was killed or injured in the accident, though initial reports suggested that no one was hurt. The FAA said it was investigating a possible bird strike as the cause of the crash.
Flight 1549 took off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport at 3:26 p.m. Thursday and was heading for Charlotte, N.C., with 146 passengers and five crew on board.
“I just thought, ‘Why is it so low?’ And, splash, it hit the water,” said witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press.
The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows, and 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. (H/T – FOXNews)
It doesn’t appear that there were any fatalities at this point. Thank God for that.
UPDATE: More media asshattery. FOXNews has some knucklehead “expert” in studio during the coverage. This man actually said, “This is the best time of year . . . to make a water landing.”
Aaannnddd . . . jackass!
Topics: Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
January 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Thank God indeed.
January 15th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
It is just amazing that everyone made it out okay. Wow! That pilot deserves major kudos, awards, and lots of time off with pay.
I cannot imagine how scary that was for those on the plane, but for those poor folks who saw a jet crash into the Hudson after possibly being in NYC or witnessing 9/11.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Not to rain on your parade Wyatt, but that was NOT a crash. It was a forced landing, and a damn well executed one! That aircrew earned their paychecks today. Kudos to them AND the passengers for not panicing!
January 15th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I actually heard that it’s a good time to land the plane on the water because it’s colder and denser. It just bad for the people who are exposed to the water.
If Al Gore had his way we’d all be frozen anyway.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Keeping that bird in one piece was just astounding. Hats off to the pilot.
January 16th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Sully said:
“Keeping that bird in one piece was just astounding. Hats off to the pilot.”
Totally agree but in a piece of breaking news:
The bird that is reputed to have been the cause of the engine failure was not available for comment but the other members of the flock are suing the pilot for denial of their avian rights.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:59 am
The passengers were very fortunate to have a seasoned, former US Air Force Fighter Pilot. No doubt that experience produced the level headed, quick responding actions that saved the lives of the passengers.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Have the lawyers started calling the passengers yet? In today’s society, you know it’s coming.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Brace for impact: Hudson river landing video
Here is the best video I could find relating to the Hudson river crash of U.S. Airways Flight 1549. This emergency landing was a “miracle.”
January 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Mrs Crankipants said:
“The passengers were very fortunate to have a seasoned, former US Air Force Fighter Pilot. No doubt that experience produced the level headed, quick responding actions that saved the lives of the passengers.”
Absolutely no disrespect to the current pilot but that comment brought to mind the biography of your retiring President:
” … served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard.”
January 18th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Morgan – A miracle . . . and some terrific flying.
RT – I’ll bet a lot of people immediately thought: terrorism.
Old NFO – I can’t argue with that. Great talent in that cockpit.
Captain – The it could be an ice landing!
Sully – Man is a hero, and should be treated as such.
Alan – And the goose has hired an attorney . . .
Mrs. Crankipants – That’s good, because I would have been running up and down the aisles yelling, “We’re all gonna die!”
Doghouse – I’ll bet they have.
T.I.R. – Miracle, talent, and help from the Big Guy Up Above.
Alan – Maybe he’ll start flying for US Airways when he’s out of office.