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 was a result of the entire crew's proper training and preparation, a point often overshadowed by the media's focus on the captain's heroism.
• The article highlights this principle through three separate incidents: Flight 1549, a Cessna 210 ditching, and a Cessna 402 deadstick landing, all with positive outcomes.
• These events underscore that pilot skill, thorough crew training, preparation, and effective energy management are the most crucial factors for safely resolving aviation emergencies.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.