Everyone who flies on a regular basis tends to keep an eye on the stories in the news concerning air travel. Generally, the news is depressing - sky rocketing plane ticket prices, flight cancellations, delayed flights, and increased security in airports. However, the worst news stories are those regarding plane crashes. When you are flying, you are at the total mercy of the plane, the flight crew, and the air traffic controllers. Plane crashes, more often than not, take the lives of everyone on board.
The recent story of Flight 1549 going down into the Hudson River is an exception to the bad news airline stories that we are so used to hearing. US Airways Flight 1549 took off on time from LaGuardia Airport in New York, heading to Charlotte, North Carolina. After a routine takeoff at 3:25, the Airbus 320 flew into a flock of Canadian Geese, taking out both engines. When the flight crew realized that they would be unable to make it back to any airport, they had to try and make a safe crash landing. They were able to successfully glide the plane into the Hudson River in midtown Manhattan.
The 150 passengers and five crew members on board were able to safely and successfully survive the watery crash landing. While there were 78 injuries, they were mostly minor and there was no loss of life. The flight crew is credited with this amazing feat. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and first officer Jeffery B. Skiles were the heroes in the cockpit. Flight attendants Donna Dent, Doreen Welsh, and Shelia Dail are credited with helping keep the passengers calm and helping them exit the plane safely. The entire crew was awarded the Master's Medal of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.
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