pilotscafe.com

[newstick]

An Airbus 320 ditched into the Hudson river a few hours ago. all passengers and crew are safe.

NEW YORK – A US Airways pilot guided his jetliner into the frigid Hudson River after a flock of birds knocked out both its engines just after takeoff Thursday, and all 155 people on board were pulled to safety as the plane slowly sank. "We had a miracle on 34th Street. I believe now we have had a miracle on the Hudson," Gov. David Paterson said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/plane_in_river

[guest]

Awsome work by the flight crew and everyone else involved!

[superpilot]

The airbus A320 has a "ditching switch" which helps it float better by sealing the lower fusalage compartment and ventilation fans. This, with the fact that the wings were full of fuel (lighter than water) probably helped the plane stay afloat longer.

[guset]

why would a wing full of fuel help? what if it was empty (full of air-even lighter than fuel)? wouldn't that be even better?
(i'm asking seriously)

[RJpilot]

According to the media it sounds almost like this was a single pilot operation...
Anyway, good job by the entire crew

[maverick]

here is a very bad picture of it hitting the water:

[jet]