US Airways flight crashes in New York

[markis10]

Thanks for the info. I would consider the TU124 successful, but not the DC9 example. Seems the A320 may be the largest aircraft to undertake a successful (no fatality) water landing. Either way, a great result.

I would agree with that assessment, the 737 also had a fatality. At least with the US Air incident this did not occur as it did with the Tupolev: "All passengers remained on aboard as the floating aircraft was towed ashore "

 

[Flying Fox]

Huge congrats to the crew. Great job and awesome result.

They should get an award!

I also read that the A320 was floating down the Hudson River with the tide until it was secured by the authorities.

 

[DJ737]

ASN Aircraft accident McDonnell Douglas DC-8-62 JA8032 San Fransisco Bay, CA

Hi there

Japan Airlines DC-8 11 Nov 1968

Cheers
DJ737

 

[High Horse]

This was quite amazing watching the whole drama unfold less than an hours after the crash.

One thing that struck me was the number of passengers standing on the wings who are not wearing lifejackets (inflated or not). I reckon that would be a must-have piece of apparel for any water landing!

 

[Evan]

This was quite amazing watching the whole drama unfold less than an hours after the crash.

One thing that struck me was the number of passengers standing on the wings who are not wearing lifejackets (inflated or not). I reckon that would be a must-have piece of apparel for any water landing!

Good point, i know what you mean now you say it... after all it was a 'safe' landing so no big deal to reach under your seat and get it just in case. Oh well i guess it goes to show just how people dont use logic when under extreme stress.
E

 

[serfty]

Not all US airlines/aircraft have life jackets in every seat. AA preflight safety instructions refer to the detachable seat bottom and the straps and how to cross your arms into them to employ as floatation devices.

Of course, US A320's may indeed have life jackets for every seat.

 

[Evan]

Not all US airlines/aircraft have life jackets in every seat. AA preflight safety instructions refer to the detachable seat bottom and the straps and how to cross your arms into them to employ as floatation devices.

Of course, US A320's may indeed have life jackets.

I assume that is allowed only for over land or mostly land segments, and ETOPS certified aircraft would have life vests for all ?

I guess i have never been on one of those planes without lifejackets for all yet... or maybe i do remember something in my dim distant past about it but not sure. Intersting, you learn something new every day

E

 

[codash1099]

This was quite amazing watching the whole drama unfold less than an hours after the crash.

One thing that struck me was the number of passengers standing on the wings who are not wearing lifejackets (inflated or not). I reckon that would be a must-have piece of apparel for any water landing!

I would doubt that there was sufficient time for the lifejackets. From reports, there was only a couple of minutes between the "brace" command and the "landing". Flight crew were still in their take-off seats so weren't in a position to assist.

And how many would stop to find life jackets during the whole panic of trying to get out?

 

[file51]

I would doubt that there was sufficient time for the lifejackets. From reports, there was only a couple of minutes between the "brace" command and the "landing". Flight crew were still in their take-off seats so weren't in a position to assist.

And how many would stop to find life jackets during the whole panic of trying to get out?

If you watch the video's or look at the photo's you will see a lot of passengers have life jackets on.

There was a commentator on CNN earlier this morning saying over 50% of passengers had a life jacket on.

 

[Ms Lucy]

Amazing work on the part of the pilot!

From one report I heard it also sounds like, along with the crew, some of the passengers were pretty proactive in getting everyone out quickly too. This incident is a good illustration of why it's important to have able-bodied pax in the exit rows (not "I've got a sore knee / broken leg and I need the extra leg-room"). Travelling with my parents last year, I noticed when doing the on-line check-in that it looked like we'd been allocated exit row. I'm pretty tiny and parents "Seniors" so I did a seating change before finishing the check-in; leave the exit rows for the strapping lads with long legs who are better suited to it. I suspect we'd have been moved out of the row at some point anyway.

 

[Mal]

There are some reports that the passengers prioritised exits by age and sex. (ie women and children first).

While chivalry is great, it does concern me that in an exit situation people don't just exit in an orderly manner, but instead try and prioritise exits. How is this even possible in a plane with small aisles and limited waiting space?

In an emergency situation, I would want the exits popped, the slides inflated and pax exiting as quick as possible - not people trying to work out a priority system of who should exit first (and potentially delaying others exiting).

 

[Ms Lucy]

Have to agree with Mal. Chivalry on the part of well-meaning male passengers doesn't make for efficient, safe evacuation. The rapid filing out of all with those nearest the exit out first increases the chances of the best outcome for all. 'tis the 21st century and logic should prevail.

 

[High Horse]

If there was any ideal opportunity to wear a lifejacket, a controlled landing into a river would have to be it. So I don't know why the evacuation (and yes I read that the exit row passengers were scanning the emergency cards during their rapid descent) suddenly had people ignoring their lifejackets, and had women and children climbing over seats to get to the exit. The pilot may have done a sterling job, but I'd like to know more about the flight crew before giving them a medal.

 

[Mal]

The pilot may have done a sterling job, but I'd like to know more about the flight crew before giving them a medal.

Average age of flight crew (including flight deck) was around 50. Plenty of years of experience flying (an average of around 28). Profiles on the crew are available here: Airline releases crew information

The NTSB (American safety bureau) report will be interesting to read when it comes out. There is already plenty of chatter about failure in various exit mechanisms from a human point of view.

The important thing though is that everyone survived - and that the learnings from this will flow up into ensuring other flights are safer.

 

[notzac]

Seeing as no one died .. here's a little (slightly inappropriate) humour from the Internets:

http://www.b3tards.com/u/23a81a36a044d13fc056/mad-fer-it.jpg

[size=-2](the server that the pic lives on is almost certainly featured in certain corporate blacklists - apologies in advance if you can't view from work..)[/size]

 

[SFSC]

Possibly somewhat OT but I wonder if any part of the aircraft and equipment would be salvageable?

 

[Evan]

Possibly somewhat OT but I wonder if any part of the aircraft and equipment would be salvageable?

I would have doubted it and it was a 99 model so probably writen off very fast and just made into coke cans instead of attempting to use anything from it.

E

 

[Evan]

Average age of flight crew (including flight deck) was around 50. Plenty of years of experience flying (an average of around 28). Profiles on the crew are available here: Airline releases crew information

<..>

Wow, an old crew ! youngest was 49. Not that it makes any difference at all just interesting.
E

 

[Ms Lucy]

Wow, an old crew ! youngest was 49. Not that it makes any difference at all just interesting.
E

Dare I say wouldn't get that at Virgin?!

 

[straitman]

If there was any ideal opportunity to wear a lifejacket, a controlled landing into a river would have to be it. So I don't know why the evacuation (and yes I read that the exit row passengers were scanning the emergency cards during their rapid descent) suddenly had people ignoring their lifejackets, and had women and children climbing over seats to get to the exit. The pilot may have done a sterling job, but I'd like to know more about the flight crew before giving them a medal.

High Horse,

I'd have to say that a glide approach to a river in a 77,000kg airliner is far from what I'd call a controlled landing.