“WHAT A VIEW OF THE HUDSON TODAY” Chesley Sullenberger


US Airways Flight 1549 • Water Landing • Hudson River • January 15, 2009


Airbus A320-214, N106US January 15, 3:27 pm LaGuardia to Charlotte 150 passengers, 5 crew 4 passengers and 1 flight attendant seriously injured


3:24:54: The plane is cleared for takeoff from LaGuardia Airport.


3:25:51: Pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger tells the departure controller he is at 700 feet and climbing to 5,000 feet. He is instructed to climb to 15,000 feet.


3:27:01: Radar data shows the plane intersect “primary targets” -- probably a flock of birds -- while climbing between 2,900 and 3,000 feet. The objects had not been on the departure controller’s radar screen.


3:27:32: After receiving an instruction from air traffic control, the pilot reports: “Aaah, this is Cactus 1549. We hit birds. We lost thrust in both engines. We’re turning back towards LaGuardia.”


3:27:49: Controllers advise LaGuardia to stop departures because a plane is making an emergency return to the airport. Tower officials are told there was a bird strike.


3:28:05: When asked if he wants to land at LaGuardia, the pilot responds, “We’re unable. We may end up in the Hudson.” Communication follows over whether the plane can land at nearby Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, but the pilot says, “We can’t do it.” Another controller asks which runway he could aim for. The pilot responds, “We’re gonna be in the Hudson.”


End verbal communication with the plane.


3:30:30: The plane touches down in the water. Radar and tower personnel notify the Coast Guard, which responds, “We launched the fleet.”


Timing Rotation to birdstrikes = 1 min 37 sec Birdstrikes to ditching = 3 min 31 sec Total flight time = 5 min 8 sec 1st rescue ferry arrival = 3 min 45 sec


43 Emergency Evacuations


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