The pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 was being lauded as a hero Thursday night after he somehow managed to land a plane with two blown engines safely in the middle of the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew have been accounted for, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
There appear to be only minor injuries at this point, in addition to fears of hypothermia. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said passengers were taken to Manhattan and New Jersey on various ferries. He said there was believed to be no significant injuries. The city is trying to contact everyone who was on that plane.
CBS 2 HD has learned the crippled plane missed the George Washington Bridge by less than 900 feet.
A close call. Praise be.
[blockquote] The hero of Flight 1549, pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III, walked the aisle of the downed US Airways jet twice looking for passengers before exiting the plane he safely ditched in the Hudson River, saving the lives of more than 150 people onboard.[/blockquote]
This was an extraordinary piece of flying, and without out doubt Cpt. Sullenberger is a man who showed extraordinary skill and responsibility for his plane and its passengers. I hope that he gets appropriately honored when the right time comes
Glided in with no power three football fields above the bridge and landed smoothly enough in the water to allow all to exit safely. Wow.
Sounds like Sullenberger is a real hero. His handling of this potential disaster also underscores the value of [i]preparedness[/i]. He achieved the almost-impossible (including the safe, upright water landing) because he had skills honed and a mind prepared to do it.
An Airbus A320 is 123ft 3in long. It’s takeoff speed is about 170 mph. 170 Miles per Hour = 249.34 Feet per Second (two aircraft lengths per second).
That means that the aircraft missed hitting the GW Bridge by less than 3 1/2 seconds!
I think that the pilot’s actions not only saved the lives of his passengers and crew, but also saved at least hundreds of lives of people in buildings in the city or in cars on the bridge.
More:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/112/story/476097.html
The pilot did an outstanding job. He is indeed a hero.
I am a little mystified at how much press this aspect of heroism is getting. We have been at war in the Middle East for almost 8 years. Not a single month can possibly go by without a similar demonstration of calm competance saving the lives of US soldiers. During the Korean War and WWII there were daily accounts of the heroic acts of our men in uniform. Medals were not just handed to the recipients, there was usually a brief paragraph in the local newspaper as what precisely the gentleman in question did. “Matt Jones went forward under heavy enemy fire to bring back three wouned comrades, two of whom survived.” We still hand out medals, but secretly.
I guess in an unpopular war,the heroics of soldiers aren’t worth printing.
Still, I’m glad that the mainstream press is still capable of recognizing cool headed competance, at least in noncontroversial matters.
I just feel a little sorry for the troops.
Clueless,
You are so very right! Thank you.