Observing US Airways Flight 1549

The blog i'm not sayin, i'm just sayin has put together a flight plan of US Airways Flight 1549 using the live flight tracking log at flightaware.com. According to the various news reports, less than a minute after takeoff the Airbus A320 apparently ran into a flock of birds somewhere over the Bronx Zoo. With engines in trouble and eventually going dead, the flight path indicates the aircraft first positioned itself over the Hudson River, then appears to have avoided the George Washington bridge intentionally before centering itself over the Hudson again.

Looking at this graphic fills in extra spaces regarding the situational awareness, composure, and skill of the pilot the press and passengers are appropriately labeling a hero. While the pilot, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, no doubt developed these skills during his seven years as a F-4 pilot in the Air Force, in examining his resume over at the Smoking Gun I couldn't help but note this is a man who has dedicated the majority of his life to be one of the best in his trade. He has clearly demonstrated that in the critical moments that define life and death for not only him, but his crew and passengers, he is exactly that.

Sector New York of the US Coast Guard is fully engaged as part of the Federal response. Commandant Thad Allen has updated his blog with a comment on the aircraft ditching:

Just left the Command Center and conference call with Sector New York. If you are following on television you can see that we have a number of small boats on scene as well as CGC RIDLEY. Passengers are being transported to Chelsea Piers where we are trying to account for all on board. I just briefed Secretary Chertoff and he is fully aware of the extent and status of the operation. We continue to monitor operations. Our personnel are responding in a professional manner and we can all be proud.

According to Jim Dolbow of the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog, in addition to the USCGC Ridley (WPB 87328) acting as the on-scene commander, two USCG 25-foo response boats and 3 HH-65 helicopters were used in the rescue operation. He also reports a 47-foot lifeboat from Sandy Hook, NJ was being deployed as of 5:00pm.

From the various news reports I have read, you have to be very impressed with the quality of the Airbus A320. Apparently aircraft integrity was not compromised, the aircraft was able to maintain buoyancy and no water was in the passenger area even after the crash landing on the river. From the interviews I have read, the aircraft did not begin to take on water in the passenger area until after the side doors were opened to get people off the plane.

Enough praise for the New York and New Jersey first responders cannot be given. The pilot was able to save all passengers with the landing, but in the frigid Hudson on a cold New York day, that was not the end of the danger. One thing that stands out to me is how the first responder training paid off through the rapid response and all indications are it was a joint agency response at every level, and it is noteworthy the cooperation between two states, the city, the port authority, the Coast Guard, not to mention the city emergency services. The swift response by those emergency responders saved lives.

Check out the DoD discussing the pilot.