US Airways Now Giving Boat Rides

January 15. 2009

A U.S. Airways plane with 155 people on board, began experiencing engine trouble and made a spectacular crash landing in the Hudson River in New York.

US Air Force pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III, 57

The trouble began minutes after take off and the pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger III, 57, did not feel it feasible to divert the plane to a neighboring airport.

So he crashed landed in the Hudson, setting the plane down on its belly. By God’s grace, no one died and there were only a few minor injuries.

They state passengers must exit the aircraft in 60 seconds when such an occurrence transpires. However, these brave passengers got out in 30 seconds. Ah, typical New Yorkers, always in a rush. In New York people want things bigger, better and faster.

Side bar: my friend’s sister was in Miami, visiting from New York and we decided to show her around. She took one look at the Miami skyline and said with a smirk “is that your skyline” then covered her mouth and chuckled. That smart alec, so what they have a few million more buildings:

Miami skyline	New York city skyline

Regarding the plane crash, I’m happy everyone made it out alive. Thank God for that. God bless them.

Photos courtesy of Reuters, The AP, Splash and the Daily Mail 

Birds Hit Planes Every Day, but Don't Usually Cause Crashes

Experts Say Bird Strikes Cause More Than $300 Million in Damages Annually. Birds fly into airplanes every day, and most do so without causing major damage.

Experts say birds hit airplanes every day, but usually do not cause the amount of damage. Birds were apparently responsible for bringing down US Airways Flight 1549, which landed safely in the Hudson River.

It usually doesn't even register as turbulence, said John Ostrom, who chairs the Bird Strike Committee USA, formed in 1991 to analyze bird strike data and advise the aviation industry.

http://www.abcnews.go.com