Sully Flight 1549

Sully Flight 1549
Name	Flight 1549
Date	January 15, 2009
Summary	Dual engine bird strike and ditching on the Hudson River
Site	Hudson River, New York City
Aircraft type	Airbus A320-214
Operator	US Airways
Tail number	N106US
Origin	LaGuardia Airport
Destination	Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Occupants	155
Passengers	150
Survivors	155

Sully Flight 1549 was a January 2009 emergency water landing of an Airbus A320 that struck a flock of Canada goosees shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, requiring an immediate ditching in the Hudson River. The incident drew widespread attention for the actions of captain Chesley Sullenberger, first officer Jeffrey Skiles, and the crew, leading to rapid coordination among Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York City Fire Department, New York Police Department, and local civilian vessels. The successful evacuation and absence of fatalities prompted investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and regulatory scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration and airline industry stakeholders.

Flight and ditching

Flight 1549 departed LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina shortly after takeoff when multiple Canada goosees impacted both CFM56 engines. The dual-engine power loss occurred near Teterboro Airport and prompted a rapid decision-making process involving options including attempts to return to LaGuardia, diversion to Teterboro Airport, or an emergency ditching. Captain Chesley Sullenberger elected to ditch in the Hudson River adjacent to Midtown Manhattan after communicating with New York TRACON, requesting emergency vectors and coordinating with Air Traffic Control controllers. The aircraft performed a controlled water landing without structural breakup or fire; nearby ferries and commuter vessels operated by NY Waterway participated in the swift rescue alongside first responders from the New York City Fire Department and United States Coast Guard units.

Crew and passengers

The flight crew consisted of captain Chesley Sullenberger, first officer Jeffrey Skiles, and three flight attendants who executed evacuation procedures. The passenger manifest included a cross-section of travelers from Queens, New York, Manhattan, Brooklyn, international visitors, and business travelers bound for Charlotte. Among the passengers were employees of corporations headquartered in New York City and tourists connected to attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. Crew resource management practices, influenced by training standards from organizations like the Air Line Pilots Association, International and Airbus SAS, were credited in post-incident analyses for effective communication and evacuation commands.

Investigation and findings

The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a comprehensive investigation, collecting flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information, engine disassembly reports, and maintenance records. Investigators confirmed that multiple strikes by Canada goosees caused ingestion and loss of thrust in both CFM56 turbofan engines, precluding safe single-engine flight. The NTSB examined decision-making under Crew Resource Management protocols, the role of available runways at LaGuardia Airport and Teterboro Airport, and pilot training standards promulgated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The board issued findings on bird strike risk mitigation, runway and airspace contingency procedures, and recommended actions to the United States Department of Transportation, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and airlines regarding wildlife hazard management and simulator training scenarios.

Aircraft and maintenance

The airframe, an Airbus A320-214 registered N106US and manufactured by Airbus SAS in Toulouse, France, underwent post-ditching salvage and inspection. Maintenance records reviewed by the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration showed compliance with scheduled inspections and engine service bulletins relevant to the CFM International CFM56 engines. Detailed teardown analyses at facilities contracted by the NTSB documented ingestion damage consistent with avian strikes, leading to certification and operational discussions within European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Civil Aviation Authority circles on bird ingestion tolerance and engine certification parameters. The aircraft was declared damaged beyond economical repair and later scrapped, while its components informed engineering reviews at manufacturers including Airbus SAS and CFM International.

Aftermath and legacy

The incident influenced policy and practice across multiple institutions: the National Transportation Safety Board recommendations prompted enhanced wildlife hazard mitigation at airports like LaGuardia Airport and Teterboro Airport; the Federal Aviation Administration revisited bird strike reporting and engine certification guidance; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey implemented revised perimeter management measures. Captain Chesley Sullenberger and first officer Jeffrey Skiles received recognition from civic bodies and aviation organizations including the Air Line Pilots Association, International and featured in hearings before the United States Congress and briefings with the Federal Aviation Administration. The event spurred research at institutions such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology into bird movement patterns, and collaborations with the United States Geological Survey and National Audubon Society on mitigation strategies. The case became a touchstone in aeronautical decision-making curricula at academies like the United States Air Force Academy and universities including Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Purdue University.

Media and cultural depictions

The ditching and rescue received extensive coverage by media outlets including The New York Times, ABC News, CNN, BBC News, and NBC News, and inspired dramatizations and documentary treatments. Notable portrayals included the feature film directed by Clint Eastwood starring Tom Hanks, theatrical productions, and episodes of documentary series on networks such as National Geographic and Discovery Channel. The incident was the subject of books published by authors associated with HarperCollins and Random House and featured in museum exhibits at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Its depiction across journalism, cinema, and scholarly analysis contributed to continuing public interest and debate involving aviation safety, emergency response, and human factors.

Category:2009 in aviation Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in the United States