Four minutes earlier, the Airbus A320 struck birds after taking off from LaGuardia Airport, disabling its engines. At 1500 feet (457 metres), Captain Sullenberger faced his worst fear.A person briefed on the radio communications between the cockpit and New York Terminal Radar Approach Control Centre said Captain Sullenberger remained cool. He advised a "double bird strike" and was given a heading to return to LaGuardia. Runway 13 was open, he was told. His reply? "Unable." The source said the captain spotted an airstrip in the northern New Jersey suburbs, asking if he could go there. The strip was at Teterboro, a smaller field that serves mainly commuter and private planes. The controller gave him clearance to make an emergency landing on Runway 1. His reply: "Unable".
With 155 lives at stake, Captain Sullenberger advised the traffic controller he was going into the Hudson River. The control centre notified harbour authorities of the imminent ditching. After advising all on board to brace for a crash landing, he brought the stricken plane down into the fast flowing and icy Hudson. Despite fears, the plane remained intact, allowing its shocked occupants to scramble onto its wings to await rescue.
America's cool-headed hero took a call from outgoing President George Bush, who thanked him for "his bravery and for his heroic efforts". Barack Obama later telephoned him. "The president-elect told Captain Sullenberger how proud everyone was for the heroic and graceful job he had done in landing the damaged aircraft," a spokesman said. (Source: Sydney Morning Herald 18th January 2009)
