A US Airways flight crashed into the Hudson just after 3 pm. The FAA reports everyone, including one baby, is off safely. There are no life threatening injuries. There is a flight attendant with an arm fracture and a few cases of hypothermia.

Just after 3:30 pm Thursday live coverage began of the plane downed in the river, with people standing on the wings. Flight 1549, an A320, took off from Laguardia on it’s way to Charlotte at 3:26 pm. Read witness accounts here. The pilot reportedly flew over the George Washington Bridge at just 900 feet. It was in the air for about 7 minutes before hitting the river near the 50s, just off midtown.

The eyewitnesses report the plane went down very smoothly, as though landing on a runway, which was confirmed by passengers onboard. A passenger speaking to the local NBC affiliate reported seeing an engine catch fire. Another survivor said he smelled gasoline and the pilot said to brace for a hard impact. At that point, fellow passengers started saying prayers.

 

After landing, passengers stood on the wings wearing their yellow life jackets and getting onto small boats and ferries. The pilot said he walked the plane twice after everyone was out to make sure all passengers had exited. Multiple ferries - as many as 14 - sped over to help, including Circle Line and Coast Guard. No passengers seemed to be swimming or in the river, rather everyone stood patiently waiting to picked up from the wings. Shortly after the crash, the fuselage sunk below the water line after floating and then began moving downriver, largely submerged. It was docked by Stuyvesant High School in lower Manhattan by Battery Park. The plane is intact.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker held a short press conference just after 5 pm EST from the airline’s Phoenix headquarters. He stressed the airline’s focus on safety and kept it brief, as he had to fly to New York.

Individuals who believe they may have family members on board flight 1549 may call US Airways at 1-800-679-8215 within the United States.

150 passengers and 5 crew members were onboard, MSNBC reports. The pilot reported a possible bird attack shortly after takeoff. There were reports the pilot flew into a flock of geese. Two engines were disabled. More on bird strikes here. Homeland Security and the FBI says there are no signs of terrorism. The NTSB will investigate the official cause of the accident.

source: huffington post

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