Miracle on Hudson - Animated reconstruction, with ATC tape

[Dave Hadfield]

This may have been posted before, but I hadn't seen it.

For someone who has departed LGA on 04, or any pilot, it makes the heart race.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/tE_5eiYn0D0#t=109

[Jim Bow]

I can't remember why his radio call was "Cactus". Something to do with the previous name of the airline??

[Reynard38]

America West/USAir merger. They used the AW callsign, cactus.
Of course,American acquired Cactus. Now it's all AA.

[Jim Bow]

Finally, I got to listen. Can't hear the in cockpit voice. Only the air traffic controller.

[Duncan Gibbs]

For someone who has departed LGA on 04, or any pilot, it makes the heart race.

Or anyone.

Flippin'eck!

[CK 17]

I never realized how low energy he was when he hit the water. Good I suppose. They really don't teach us this stuff in the simulator. Even after this incident. Once your granted that second engine it's assumed you'll make back to an airport.

yes, my pulse does tick up when I watch this.

[Boater14]

I remember in the 50's hearing radio traffic out of one of those little planes in the desert I guess with chuck yeager. Pilot was cool as a cucumber relating the things he was trying just before he crashed.

[Hwyl]

Would he have considered jettisoning his fuel before landing? He could have done it over the river, but I am assuming he could not do it over populated land?

[Dave Hadfield]

The 320 does not have fuel jettison (if I remember correctly), and even if it did, there is very little that would be jettisoned in 2 minutes. No significant factor.

Plus, they had their hands full.

When he first mentions landing in the Hudson, he does it with matter-of-fact calm -- a rather surprising, total, calm. That tells me he'd considered it before -- he was the type of pilot who imagined what could go wrong, and had mentally prepared for it. Far more than checklists and simulators.