US Airways Crash: Breaking News Story

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses a recent US Airways plane crash into the Hudson River, with participants sharing their reactions, experiences, and insights related to the incident and aviation safety. Various aspects of the event, including the pilot's actions and the response from emergency services, are explored.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the potential severity of the situation, mentioning the pilot's decision to guide the plane into the river to avoid a disaster in Manhattan.
  • Another participant shares a link to an article, expressing fear regarding the crash.
  • Several users mention that initial reports indicate a bird strike caused the crash, with one participant explaining how such strikes can damage engines.
  • One participant identifies as a consultant and recounts their experience of severe turbulence on a flight, drawing parallels to the current incident.
  • Another participant expresses relief that all passengers were safe and highlights the community's response during the rescue efforts.
  • One participant shares their thoughts on the pilot's quick thinking and the challenges posed by large birds like Canada Geese.
  • Several participants discuss their personal experiences with turbulence and flying, with some expressing anxiety about flying after hearing about the crash.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the implications of the bird strike and the pilot's actions, with no clear consensus on the broader impact of the incident on flying safety or community response.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes related to flying and turbulence, reflecting a range of emotions from fear to relief in light of the crash. The discussion also touches on the weather conditions and their potential impact on the incident.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers within the consultant community who are interested in aviation safety, personal flying experiences, and community responses to emergencies may find the discussion relevant.

The_Kitchen_Guy
The_Kitchen_Guy
Silver Member
Messages
12,389
A US Airways plane has gone down in the Hudson River in Manhattan. This could very well be a big, big story.Also, Haz-Mat has responded to the Wal Mart that is about 3 miles from my home. The State Patrol has the place completely locked down and several people have been taken to a hospital.As with any breaking news story, may of the early reports will turn out to be false but there is already speculating that the pilot of the airliner knew he was going down, and guided the plane into the river to avoid what could have been a real disaster had he taken it down into Manhattan.Of course, since every major news service in the US is headquartered in New York, the event will be covered wall-to-wall.
 
I just saw that. Initial reports are that the plane flew through a flock of geese and one was sucked into an engine. Water taxis responded and offloaded the airline passengers. Reports are that everyone got off the plane OK.
 
I still don't understand how a bird strike can disable an airplane. Sounds like the pilot did some quick thinking and made a very wise decision.

Hope your Wal-mart survives its issue KG.
 
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  • #5
A jet engine works by sucking air in from the front where turbine blades compress it. Fuel is added to the compressed air and it is burned, resulting in the pressure that propels the aircraft. A large bird can wreak an incredible amount of damage to the turbine blades and the internals of the engine, rendering it useless. A plane that loses 50% of its propulsion in an instant is all but doomed.
 
Reports are now stating that it was a double bird strike - at least 2 birds involved.And they were Canada Geese, much larger than a sparrow or even a pigeon.
 
Everyone is SAFE

:angel:Thank GOD:angel:

Where do you live KG???

:chef:
 
It sounds like New Yorkers really pulled together for this one. Reports are that business people in suits who were on the water taxis were helping passengers get from the plane to the boats. The news had had a couple if interviews with passengers. They report that it was a controlled landing, although the captain did warn them to brace for impact.
 
thanks for the info KG. nature always finds a way doesn't it.

There are a bunch of heroes this afternoon
 
KG- any news on the Wally World near you? Do they suspect something sinister, or just stupidity making people sick?
 
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  • #12
The current reports are that the store is being treated as a crime scene. Now, whatever that means can just cause great speculation.All I know is that I have the afternoon off.
 
Lots of different definitions of "crime." ;)
Enjoy the afternoon off.
 
http://www.wisn.com/news/18488910/detail.html
 
That reminds me - flying home from Leadership Saturday night we experienced the WORST turbulance I have ever been in - I mean it was BAD. I have never been jolted around so much! They had just finished the coffee service so of course many of us wound up wearing our neighbor's coffee, soda, whatever. My friend and I had a row of 3 seats and the middle one was empty. We were holding hands throughtout this ordeal and she was praying out loud! So were a lot of people! It was really bad and shook several of us up. My DH said that evidently one of the pilots was not doing his job and reading the radar b/c we had no warning - one minute it was smooth flying, then next minute we felt like we were in a washing machine, the flight attendants had to make their way to their jump seats. It was really bad. All I could think of was that there was no way this could be happening to us....I was definately getting home to see my DH and DS and I was not going to orphan my DS like this....and strangely, I was thinking of the people on the 911 flight that crashed in that field - that they too must have had some of these thoughts run through their heads. It was very bad (have I said that). Many of us were pretty shaken up and it still bothers me to think about it.

I'm very glad that these passengers were all able to get off. I wonder how long it will take to rescue their luggage - I'm sure any laptops are pretty much toast.

All the passengers clapped and cheered when we landed too. And I have a feeling that someof them will never fly again - the lady behind me hyperventilated and several other passengers were crying. It was really bad!
 
The pilot is suppose to be on the news conference in about 10 minutes with Mayor Bloomberg - this is local time of course -
 
One thing that was really weird about the flying coffee....the cup stayed on the tray table and the coffee flew out of it and did this twirly motion thing in the air (kinda like a dance) ....just before it landed al over my pants legs....
 
Omgosh KG...those bird videos make me not want to ever fly again! How scary!
 
Glad you made it home safe and sound, Linda. I've had a few rough flights like that. I fly weekly now so I'm getting pretty used to the turbulence, but man, there were a few that I was praying and one where I was crying because I thought for sure we were going down. When we landed the flight attendants announced that we should give a standing ovation for the pilots.

We're trying to keep today's news off the tv and radio. My kids already freak out about me flying so much, this would scare them for sure.
 
Glad all your flights have had safe landings Diane. I always say a prayer before we take-off for a safe and uneventful flight. Saturday I was busy talking to my friend when we took off...you can bet I'll get my prayer in from now on - no matter what!

When I told DH about the coffee he said "wow, you were in some bad stuff for it to do that" ..... well, no sh*t! DH is a pilot for Delta and he flew f16's in the airforce - he's told me some stories about turbulance that would make me never fly again if I experienced it.
 
It's been on every news channel here in NY. I am just glad that everyone is ok. That water is FREEZING!!!
 
Sounds like there was a pilot that did a fantastic job responding quickly and calmly to this freak of nature. I am sure that we are not the only ones that have too many darn Canadian geese (boy I like them but they can poop worse than a pack of dogs). Some of those geese are really good sized.

Linda, sorry to hear about your turbulence. We had one flight home from conference like that and one poor woman had never flown. The feeling of dropping so fast that you can feel your bottom lift completely off the seat (and let me tell you...that thing is hefty!!:eek:)...is not just physically upsetting:yuck:, but trying to stay calm is not easy. Our pilot was really good and let us know far ahead that we would most likely run into a large amount of turbulence. Amazing that the darn cup stayed where it was! Then to have coffee soaked pants on top of that must have made the trip a real blast:thumbdown:.
 
letscook04 said:
It's been on every news channel here in NY. I am just glad that everyone is ok. That water is FREEZING!!!
Click to expand...

It is when their wet skin hits the cold air too that will really drop their temperature.

We are much farther north but they are predicting temperatures of -20 degrees:eek: I am going home and getting in my flannels!!!
 
What amazes me about this whole plane crash is that a few years ago the Hudson river was so frozen this time of year that they had to break up the ice to get the ferries across(friends and family experienced this). Today was extremely cold and if there had been that kind of ice, the rescue ferries, boats,etc. never would have gotten there as quickly. I know the pilot did an excellent job of landing the plane the way he did, but I honestly think that God was there today helping and guiding. There is no way those passengers should have survived a plane crash and water exposure....I truely believe.I bet many of the passengers and their family members,friends will be thanking God tonight. I know I will....JMHO
 
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  • #25
Note: The plane hit CANADA geese.They are not citizens of Canada, therefore, they are not CANADIAN geese. (If they were, we'd have to check their passports at the border.)
 
Aha! I always thought that was a UK/US thing... I've always called them Canada geese, everyone here I know calls them Canadian.

And on that note, a bad joke.

Q: What do Canadian Geese say?
A: Honk, eh!
 
I have to remember that passports line, KG. Lots of people around here call them Canadian Geese, and it's one of my pet peeves. Funny joke, Annie!
 
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  • #28
And in Detroit, Canada Geese have to fly north to go south, eh?
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
Note: The plane hit CANADA geese.

They are not citizens of Canada, therefore, they are not CANADIAN geese.

(If they were, we'd have to check their passports at the border.)
Click to expand...

I did not know that!! I'll have to make sure I say it correctly from now on!!!
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
And in Detroit, Canada Geese have to fly north to go south, eh?
Click to expand...

Yep! I joke that our neighbors to our North are actually to the South. :)
(For those who don't know, the Detroit to Windsor crossing is the only US to Canada border crossing in the contiguous 48 states through which one travels south to get into Canada.)
 
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