A Jetliner Lands Safely on the Hudson River

On the afternoon of January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 departed New York City's LaGuardia Airport on a domestic route bound for Charlotte, North Carolina. Piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, the Airbus A320 climbed northeast from the runway under clear skies. Less than two minutes after leaving the ground, the aircraft encountered a flock of Canada geese at an altitude of approximately 2,800 feet. Birds were drawn into both engines, causing an immediate loss of thrust across the propulsion systems. Sullenberger took command of the controls while Skiles attempted the emergency engine restart procedures.

The crew assessed their landing options as the jet began an unpowered glide. Contacting air traffic control, Sullenberger reported the double engine failure and initially considered returning toward LaGuardia or diverting across the river to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Recognizing that their low altitude and dwindling airspeed made reaching a paved runway impossible without risking catastrophic crashes into densely populated neighborhoods, the captain chose to steer the airliner toward the open expanse of the Hudson River. Passing low over the George Washington Bridge, the crew ordered passengers and attendants to prepare for immediate impact.