ALERT!! US Airways crash...

[Mango]

If I were a passenger I'd be buying a lottery ticket right now. We used to roll our eyes when they did the "in the event of a water landing" speech. Normally one assumes you'll be hurtling into the Atlantic at 500mph and then the seat cushion is only good as your last toilet.

I would have, after speaking to my family first, ordered up some duck on a golden platter. ;-)

 

[Will B]

How long before the news media "wonders" if the pilot could have landed in Teterboro or some other neaby airstrip?

Sorry...should have addressed this earlier. They took off from runway 4 which is away from Tererboro. From the flight path they have mapped, one can only surmise that they didn't have enough altitude to manouver to a specific runway. Turning an unpowered aircraft causes it to lose altitude quickly because the lift coeficient of the wing is not pointed straight up (techno speak). By aiming the aircraft down the river, he maximized his glide and gave himself a better shot at a landing that would not harm people on the ground while providing the most protection for the passengers on the aircraft.

He did the right thing...

 

[sunspotbaby]

Thanks SC!

 

[Smiling JOe]

The media did already address that issue of landing on another airstrip. He didn't want to chance not making it and crashing. Smooth water apparently makes a much safer landing than trees and houses.

 

[traderx]

Just to clarify, I consider the pilot to be a real hero. What he did was incredible. I just think we have not heard the last from the media. They love to second guess... Sooner of later, some enterprising journalist will look up the A320 glide ratio and get the altitude readings from TRACON and start asking the silly questions.

SC, thanks for your response about emergency protocol.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Sorry...should have addressed this earlier. They took off from runway 4 which is away from Tererboro. From the flight path they have mapped, one can only surmise that they didn't have enough altitude to manouver to a specific runway. Turning an unpowered aircraft causes it to lose altitude quickly because the lift coeficient of the wing is not pointed straight up (techno speak). By aiming the aircraft down the river, he maximized his glide and gave himself a better shot at a landing that would not harm people on the ground while providing the most protection for the passengers on the aircraft.

He did the right thing...

Thanks for filling us in on all the techno speak and other airline stuff....

 

[Matt J]

Just to clarify, I consider the pilot to be a real hero. What he did was incredible. I just think we have not heard the last from the media. They love to second guess... Sooner of later, some enterprising journalist will look up the A320 glide ratio and get the altitude readings from TRACON and start asking the silly questions.

SC, thanks for your response about emergency protocol.

Thus far they can't stop praising the Captain and flight crew.

Try being positive.

 

[traderx]

Thus far they can't stop praising the Captain and flight crew.

Try being positive.

You're right. I am way too cynical when it comes to the press. :shock:

 

[NoHall]

Sorry...should have addressed this earlier. They took off from runway 4 which is away from Tererboro. From the flight path they have mapped, one can only surmise that they didn't have enough altitude to manouver to a specific runway. Turning an unpowered aircraft causes it to lose altitude quickly because the lift coeficient of the wing is not pointed straight up (techno speak). By aiming the aircraft down the river, he maximized his glide and gave himself a better shot at a landing that would not harm people on the ground while providing the most protection for the passengers on the aircraft.

He did the right thing...

I love when you talk this way.

 

[sunspotbaby]

You're right. I am way too cynical when it comes to the press. :shock:

No you're not. I couldn't believe the way they grilled the passengers yesterday.
I had to turn it off. I think the press was a touch disappointed that they didn't have death & destruction to rehash all day.:roll: