US Airways Flight 1549

US Airways Flight 1549

Evacuation of US Airways Flight 1549 as it floats on the Hudson River
Accident summary
Date	January 15, 2009
Summary	Controlled ditching after multiple large bird strikes
Site	Hudson River between New York City (Manhattan) and Weehawken, New Jersey (near Port Imperial) 40°46′10″N 74°00′17″W / 40.7695°N 74.0046°W / 40.7695; -74.0046Coordinates: 40°46′10″N 74°00′17″W / 40.7695°N 74.0046°W / 40.7695; -74.0046
Passengers	150
Crew	5
Fatalities	0
Injuries (non-fatal)	100 (95 minor, 5 serious)
Survivors	155 (all)
Aircraft type	Airbus A320-214
Operator	US Airways
Registration	N106US
Flight origin	LaGuardia Airport, New York City
Stopover	Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina
Destination	Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Washington State

US Airways Flight 1549 was an Airbus A320-214 which, three minutes after takeoff from New York City's LaGuardia Airport on January 15, 2009, struck a flock of Canada geese just northeast of the George Washington Bridge and consequently lost all engine power. Unable to reach any airport, pilots Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles glided the plane to a ditching in the Hudson River off midtown Manhattan. All 155 people aboard were rescued by nearby boats and there were few serious injuries.

The incident came to be known as the "Miracle on the Hudson", and a National Transportation Safety Board member described it as "the most successful ditching in aviation history." The pilots and flight attendants received the Master's Medal of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators for a "heroic and unique aviation achievement".

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 with callsign 'CACTUS 1549' was scheduled to fly from New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Charlotte Douglas (CLT), with direct onward service to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport in Washington State. The aircraft was an Airbus A320-214 powered by two GE Aviation/Snecma-designed CFM56-5B4/P turbofan engines.