A Game

Unless youve been living under a rock since mid-January, you have at least a passing familiarity with the January 15, 2009, water landing in the Hudson River. US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 departing New Yorks LaGuardia for Charlotte, N.C., apparently suffered multiple bird strikes, disabling both engines. The crew, admirably, ditched the airplane in the Hudson River with no loss of life and only one injury. The popular media labeled the flights captain, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, a hero for successfully handling the emergency. Almost completely ignored were the team efforts of Sullenbergers crew, including First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles, who was flying the takeoff and departure, and the three flight attendants, who successfully prepared and evacuated the cabin. The outcome would not have been nearly so favorable if the crew hadnt been properly trained and prepared. Instead of labeling Flight 1549 a miracle and its captain a hero, we all should use this event as a teaching episode and wonder how things might have turned out if the crew hadnt been prepared.

Key Takeaways:

• The successful Hudson River ditching of US Airways Flight 1549, often credited solely to Captain Sullenberger, was a result of the entire crew's proper training and preparation.
• The article presents additional examples, including an earlier ditching by an aviation writer and a recent twin-engine failure, to emphasize the critical role of preparedness and pilot skill.
• While luck can play a part, the overarching lesson from these incidents is the indispensable value of thorough training, preparation, and exceptional airmanship in ensuring safe outcomes during aviation emergencies.

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