Flight 1549: Full of Bird Body Parts

Good news is abounding for those folks who are waiting on their luggage from Flight 1549: you might not have to hold out that long. That's because the investigation on why the flight crashed is already underway and in case it wasn't abundantly obvious, there was a bird involved.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (via Airline Biz):

"The left (#1) engine, which was recovered from the Hudson River on January 23 and subsequently shipped to the manufacturer in Cincinnati where the NTSB is directing a teardown, was found to contain bird remains.

"The organic material found in the right (#2) engine has also been confirmed to be bird remains. The material from both engines has been sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington where the particular bird species will be identified."

[...]During the accident flight, the flight data recorder revealed no anomalies or malfunctions in either engine up to the point where the captain reported a bird strike, after which there was an uncommanded loss of thrust in both engines.

Well, gee, thanks for the heads up, folks. It's refreshing to know that the obvious problem here -- a bird flying into the engine of a plane -- caused the obvious effect: the plane crashed. It's especially nice to feel the soft touch of security that comes from wasting millions of dollars to find this out. 

On the bright side, we did get to see Flight 1549 towed through town!

Flight 1549 Towed Through New Jersey

Flight 1549 has been all the rage for the past few weeks; understandably, considering it's an airplane that splashed down in the Hudson River.

And it was really put on display yesterday, as it was towed out of NYC and through New Jersey (see above) to it's final resting spot. Which is probably a junk yard while it awaits investigation.

Actually, wait, it is a junk yard. So why doesn't everyone have their luggage back yet, then?

The plane was transported on a huge flatbed trailer after the wings and tail section were removed for transport on another trailer. The operation took place on blocked streets from the marina in Jersey City where it was parked to its final destination, Supor Industries salvage in Harrison. It'll stay there for 18 months for the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. A sight like this ranks pretty high on our "stuff you'd don't see every day" meter.

Indeed. Right up there with "a plane landing safely in the Hudson River."

Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III: A Real American Hero

Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, III is the man who landed the plane in the Hudson River yesterday. No, seriously. That's his name. Couldn't make it up if we tried. And, after successfully saving the lives of hundreds of passengers, he's a pretty popular dude.

And an American hero, if you ask some people. But it's probably best to wait for the investigation before you go crowning him.

James Ray, a spokesman for the U.S. Airline Pilots Association, says he spoke with Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III on Friday. He says Sullenberger acted "just very calm and cool, very relaxed, just very professional."

Ray says the flight crew is resting and likely would meet with investigators later Friday or Saturday. He says the crew has been asked not speak to the press until after the federal investigators complete their work.

Still, even if Sully somehow screwed the pooch (or goose if you prefer) on the takeoff, he managed to save everyone the plane by steering it into the frozen waters of the Hudson and therefore keeping the United State airline streak of "TWO YEARS NO ONE DEAD!!!1" alive.

Tonight, we drink to you, Sully.

US Airways Flight Leaving New York for Charlotte Finds Hudson River

In really horrific sounding news, plane headed for Charlotte from New York crashed into the Hudson River this afternoon. Fortunately, it appears that no one was injured and/or dead.

Flight 1549 left from La Guardia at 3:03 p.m. and was headed to Charlotte when it crashed into the Hudson River.

New York City firefighters are responding to the crash. It was not immediately clear if there were injuries.

Witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press, said, "I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water."

More details as they come, but for now, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone on Flight 1549 and the families of the passengers.