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1. Emergency Landing:
- On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, struck a flock of Canada geese shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
- With both engines disabled, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger made the split-second decision to land the plane on the Hudson River rather than attempting a return to the airport.
2. Evacuation:
- Immediately following the water landing, the plane's crew initiated an emergency evacuation.
- Passengers and crew used two inflatable slides and life rafts to evacuate the plane onto the wings and into the frigid river.
- Nearby ferries, a Coast Guard helicopter, and passing civilian boats quickly arrived at the scene to assist with the rescue.
3. Securing the Plane:
- The most immediate concern was to prevent the plane from sinking into the deep waters of the Hudson.
- Divers attached inflatable floats known as "pontoons" to the wings of the aircraft to keep it afloat.
- The pontoons also helped to stabilize the plane and prevent it from capsizing.
4. Salvage Plan:
- A complex salvage operation was meticulously planned to remove the partially submerged plane from the river.
- The recovery effort was overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and involved various agencies and private contractors.
5. Lifting and Transporting:
- After the pontoons were secured, a crane barge named "Derrick 32" moved alongside the plane.
- Heavy-duty cables were attached to the plane's wings and fuselage to prepare for lifting.
- Once secured, Derrick 32 started lifting the plane out of the water using its powerful crane.
- Simultaneously, a barge positioned close to the plane's tail section also began lifting the plane to ensure minimal damage during the operation.
6. Transfer to Dry Dock:
- With both barges assisting in the lifting process, the plane was slowly lifted out of the Hudson River.
- It was then carefully placed onto a submersible barge known as "Super Servant 3."
- Super Servant 3 transported the entire sunken aircraft to a dry dock facility in New Jersey for further inspection and investigation.
7. Investigation and Preservation:
- Experts from the NTSB conducted a thorough examination of the plane to determine the cause of the accident and learn valuable safety lessons.
- The plane's data and flight recorders were recovered, and the wreckage was meticulously documented.
- Eventually, the damaged plane was moved to the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, where it remains on display as a testament to the remarkable heroism of Captain Sullenberger and the crew of Flight 1549.
8. Impact and Legacy:
- The successful rescue and salvage of US Airways Flight 1549 highlighted the remarkable cooperation and efficiency of emergency response teams, divers, and salvage experts.
- It also brought international attention to the skill and quick thinking of Captain Sullenberger, who became known as "The Miracle on the Hudson Man" for his heroic actions.