Miracle on the Hudson Date and Core Facts
The Miracle on the Hudson event occurred on January 15, 2009, when US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency water landing on the Hudson River shortly after departing LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft was an Airbus A320-214 registered as N106US, operated by US Airways, and the flight was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The incident is officially recorded by the NTSB as a controlled ditching following a dual-engine failure caused by bird strikes. The NTSB accident report confirms the date, aircraft type, and airline details in its public docket NTSB Docket PA09MA001.
Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles managed the glide descent and landing on the river, and all 155 people on board survived. The National Transportation Safety Board classified the event as a controlled ditching rather than a crash, which is a key distinction in aviation safety reporting. The flight departed Runway 4 at LaGuardia at 15:26 Eastern Time and landed on the Hudson River at 15:31 Eastern Time. The NTSB final report lists the exact times, crew qualifications, and maintenance records as part of the factual investigation NTSB Final Report.
Timeline of the Miracle on the Hudson Event
At 15:27 Eastern Time, the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese, causing damage to both engines and leading to a total loss of thrust. The crew immediately evaluated options including a return to LaGuardia and a diversion to Teterboro Airport, but determined a water landing was the safest choice. The aircraft touched down on the Hudson River at 15:31 Eastern Time, and emergency responders from the New York City Fire Department and NY Waterway arrived within minutes. The NTSB timeline in its docket NTSB Docket PA09MA001 provides minute-by-minute data from radar, ATC recordings, and cockpit voice recordings.
Passengers and crew evacuated the aircraft onto the wings and inflatable slides, and watercraft in the area assisted in rescue operations. The entire sequence from bird strike to evacuation took less than four minutes, which the NTSB highlights as a critical factor in the survival outcome. The FAA and NTSB later cited the event in safety recommendations related to engine certification for bird strike scenarios and ditching procedures FAA Regulations.
Investigation Findings and Safety Impact
The NTSB investigation concluded that the probable cause was the ingestion of large birds into both engines, which resulted in the loss of thrust. The board found no mechanical failures unrelated to the bird strikes and credited the crew's decision-making and airmanship for the successful outcome. The final report includes data on engine performance, flight data recorder parameters, and survival factors such as seat positioning and emergency lighting NTSB Docket PA09MA001.
Following the event, the FAA and airlines updated ditching training, emergency equipment requirements, and wildlife management programs at airports. The incident is frequently referenced in aviation safety briefings and is used as a case study in crew resource management training. The Airbus A320 type certificate and