Daylife/AP Photo by Craig Ruttle

The plane being lifted from the water to a waiting barge

The pilot of the US Airways Airbus that was forced to crash-land in New York’s Hudson river after both its engines failed has told investigators he made a split-second decision to attempt a water landing to avoid a possibly “catastrophic” crash in Manhattan.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s account of the landing was released as salvage crews hoisted US Airways Flight 1549 from the river and on to a barge. Investigators retrieved the plane’s black boxes, which were filled with fresh water, and sent them to Washington for analysis.

The aircraft’s torn and shredded underbelly revealed the force with which it hit the water. A gash extended from the base of the plane toward the windows, its right wing appeared charred and the exterior of the destroyed right engine apparently had been peeled off…

The pilot told investigators yesterday that in the few minutes he had to decide where to set down the plane on Thursday afternoon, he felt it was “too low, too slow” and near too many buildings to go anywhere other than the river, according to an account of his testimony to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Sullenberger and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, who was initially flying the plane, described the moment when a flock of geese struck the passenger jet, taking out the engines. Skiles said the birds flew straight at them in perfect formation. Sullenberger said that in an instant the windscreen was filled with birds.

“His instinct was to duck,” said Kitty Higgins, an NTSB board member, recounting their interview. Then there was a thump, the smell of burning birds, and silence as both aircraft engines cut out, she said.

With both engines out, flight attendants described complete silence in the cabin, “like being in a library”, Higgins said. A smoky haze and the odour of burning metal or electronics filled the plane…

Sullenberger told investigators he immediately took over flying from his co-pilot and made a series of command decisions: returning to LaGuardia was out, as was aiming for the nearby Teterboro airport, as it would mean taking the jet over densely populated northern New Jersey.

“We can’t do it,” he told air traffic controllers. “We’re gonna be in the Hudson…”

After guiding the gliding jet over the George Washington Bridge, Sullenberger picked a stretch of water near Manhattan’s commuter ferry terminals to land. Rescuers were able to arrive within minutes…

Kudos to Sullenberger. Fine example of what being a pro is all about.