Sunday, January 18th, 2009 | Author: markross
I wanted to mention this miraculous landing, in The Hudson River (NY) on Thursday, January 15th by this US Airways pilot, Chesley B. Sullenberger. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6606410#bodyText First of all, this pilot truly ”is” a hero. Often, like a passenger in a car, we so take flights for granted when we board an airplane. Who would ever guess, of all things, that a flock of birds could bring a commercial airplane down. Well, under tremendous pressure, with one both engines gone; in less then three minutes, this pilot made a decisive, and brilliant landing into The Hudson River. When you think of other possible outcomes, it really sinks in, as to how much a professional this pilot really is… That airplane could have smashed straight into a building, in downtown Manhattan; it could have crashed onto a busy street in NYC, however, the pilot steered the plane away from pedestrian areas, and made a seemingly perfect landing into the water. Not one person on this flight was seriously injured, or killed; that is really amazing! The first responders were also great heroes, and extremely professional… Had those passengers been in that river much longer, then hypothermia would have begun to sink in, and tragedy may have followed; instead, the flight attendants, boats and responders were getting those passengers off of that airplane within minutes of the crash landing. To me, this is a miracle, and a great reminder of what happened on 9-11, and how much we have learned since then. It is also a reminder that these fire fighters and first responders are truly brave men and women, as well as true professionals, and great heroes. It is so refreshing to hear, and write about some very positive, and uplifting news. Mark
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Sunday, January 18th, 2009 (url)
This is an amazing story and the captian is truly a hero.. A savior.. It is a miracle that nothing more disaterous happened.. You basically have 2 minutes to exit a plane that has crash landed.. The immediate risk of expolision is there.. To land in a river, with it being “intact” is unheard of.. My nephew usually travels – that exact flight from NYC to Charlotte on a weekly basis.. Thank GOD he didn’t go that day.. He was thinking about it but decided against it.. Amazing.. Truly a remarkable and unforgettable event…
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 (url)
He is a hero, and so are the first responders; if they were not so quick to get there, and get those people off of that plane, then the landing, as amazing as it was, may have all been in vain.
That flight would have certainly given your nephew something to remember for a long time, as well as being part of history, however, I have a feeling that most of those people that were on board, will be hesitant to fly again, for quite some time.
Mark
Monday, January 19th, 2009 (url)
I would have to concur about the not wanting to fly part … I know that as soon as I heard about the crash, I thought about the fact that I fly exclusively US Airways. I have made flights into and out of Charlotte many times. I am thankful that the result was not worse.
Monday, January 19th, 2009 (url)
Yes, we should all be thankful; not one casualty; it really is amazing.
It was just one of those anomalies; statistically, it is still "much" safer in the air then on the highway.
I understand the fear factor of being part of an event; for example, in Dec. of 1980, my house was lit on fire while we were all asleep. Thankfully, my dad woke up and we all got out, within inches of our lives. However, I was so afraid of fire for "at least" a year after that.
Just because a plane had a freak accident, it would not stop me from flying, just as seeing a car accident would not stop me from driving. If I were actually on that plane, then certainly, "I" would likely be more afraid to fly for a while.