US Airways Flight 1549: "All Souls OK" The Hudson Miracle Approach @ AMERICAN DIGEST

January 16, 2017

US Airways Flight 1549: "All Souls OK" The Hudson Miracle Approach

This repays closer study to appreciate what was done.

Several days ago, a pilot friend sent me an email with a most interesting attachment. It seems that Jeppesen, the universally well-known publisher of aeronautical charts, had produced a special edition approach chart, detailing the Hudson Miracle Approach, as performed by the crew of Cactus 1549, the US Airways A320 that famously and successfully ditched in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. -- Aircrew Buzz

Via with a big HT toTrue North:

Posted by gerardvanderleun at January 16, 2017 7:37 AM

Comments:

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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Typical single-engine pilot who moved on to transports, fortunately for him, his crew, his passengers and his company. As soon as he's airborne, a single-engine pilot starts looking around, and picking out a place to make an engine out landing, and updates his info constantly thereafter. You likely will never lose all power right after takeoff, but in the flying business, the more you plan ahead the luckier you are. Engine failure after takeoff is forever burned into your brain during training, or at least was back in the day. Ejection seats may give you some wiggle room, but you're still obliged to take, or at least point the airplane to where it will cause the least damage.

Posted by: BillH at January 16, 2017 9:49 AM

Being a former Speedbird (INT Hvy Mtc) I am embarrassed to have missed the two FA from Piedmont Airlines. Not to dishonor the former Allegheny FA but I am often on the lookout for colleagues. My sincere but very late congratulations to the level-headed and efficient evacuation of a ship in distress.

Posted by: Dan Patterson at January 17, 2017 4:34 AM

Dan - Speedbird being a BOAC pilot? (Guess it's BA now.)

Posted by: BillH at January 17, 2017 7:43 AM

Sullenberger & Skiles did a magnificent job in bring that Airbus in with no loss of life.

I know that Sullenberger has since, retired. But Skiles was just getting started on his Airbus career at that point. Anyone know his career trajectory since then?

And on the topic. Damn if I don't truly miss getting to read the exploits of Captain Dave, and his Flight Level 390 blog. Still, hands down, the best flying blog I've had the pleasure to read.

It it was indeed, a pleasure. The man could write, and did so with flair, elan, grace and style.

Wish he'd find a way to get the blessings of the corporate ninnies, and bring his keyboard back up to altitude.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at January 17, 2017 7:52 AM

"Think-To-Splash" time is *always* too short.

#BringBackFL360!!

Posted by: leelu at January 17, 2017 9:20 AM

Let's not forget Captain Richard Ogg. If you do not know who that is, look up the identifier for Maui vor. Then google Ogg.

Posted by: Steven at January 17, 2017 6:20 PM

Ogg ditched a civilian C-97, IIRC without looking it up. I was flying super connies at the time. We got that one as a case study every year in annual sea survival refresher. I seem to recall the case revolved mainly around gear down vs. gear up ditching. Always started an argument. Can't recall any other details. All that was 60+ years ago.

Posted by: BillH at January 18, 2017 7:27 AM