US Airways Flight Goes Down into Hudson River

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, US Airways flight 1549 plummeted into the Hudson River. There were 146 passengers and 5 crew onboard. The pilot reported a possible bird strike (a bird struck into the engine) immediately after take-off from LaGuardia airport destined for Charlotte, NC. As the plane turned around to go back to LaGuardia, the plane descended into the Hudson River.

All small watercrafts in the area responded to the plane in an attempt to rescue passengers and crew. These boats consisted of US Coast Guard boats, Fire Boats and Water Taxis. Two medevac helicoptors also responded.

The 18-degree temperature added to the chaos of the moment. Both emergency doors were open and some passengers were standing on the wings of the plane at 3:52 p.m.

Eyewitness accounts claim that the landing gear was not down as the plane crashed into the river. The FAA reports that the plan hit a "flock of geese" and the pilot made the decision to take the plane down since the water is relatively shallow.

So far, no fatalities or injuries have been reported. The plane is still being evacuated.