UP Ibalon Bicol: Hudson River

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9 dead in aircraft midair smash-up in Hudson

8/09/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

They were not as lucky as the 155 passengers of US Airways who survived a crash landing in January 25, 2009 in Hudson River soon after take-off from nearby La Guardia airport in Astoria, New York.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on Saturday, August 8, 2009 that 9 people perished in a midair collision of a helicopter operated by Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours and a light plane, a single-engine Piper PA-32 Saratoga in New York City. The fatal incident over the Hudson river claimed the lives of five tourists from Bologna, Italy.

“Helicopter wreckage was found in about 30 feet of water, while the plane is believed to be near the midchannel point of the Hudson in deeper water. A scanning sonar is being used to pinpoint the plane and has identified a possible third debris."---CNN.com (08/08/09, Candiottti, S et al.)

So far, only three bodies, two adults and one child, have been recovered down the river. Some witnesses said the plane trailed the helicopter from behind before they collided with a loud bang, scattering debris in midair before the aircrafts fell near the Hoboken shore. Authorities are investigating the cause of the deadly crash. (Photo Credit: PMarella) =0=

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Labels: airplane, crash, disaster, helicopter crash, Hudson River, New York, New York City, Totie Mesia

Emergency landing on icy Hudson River in NYC after birds knocked down plane’s engines

1/16/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

On my way for a doctor’s visit this Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2008, I wondered why my usual route in Manhattan was closed to traffic. Noisy police horns and ambulances blared for some emergency that I couldn’t understand. Yet, when I entered the phlebotomy room in NYU Clinical Cancer Center at 34th Street, my pals in that office were talking about a plane which plunged in the frigid Hudson River, just a few blocks from were we stood. Our surprise and concern could just be felt by the momentary silence.

I could see alarm on the faces of the phlebotomists and a few patients inside the room. Blood drawing temporarily stopped. There were those who instinctively opened their cell phones to call friends and relatives to ask what was going on. After 911, most of us felt trauma each time news of this nature crossed our lives. We thought of the passengers’ condition and we hoped that the incident wasn’t terror-related.

Only a little later that we learned of the 150 passengers and 5 crew of US Airways Airbus A320--- all survived, but about 78 passengers suffered body injuries of varying severity. Some were rushed to nearby hospitals to be treated for hypothermia. We were relieved to know the rescuers were on top of the situation. The passengers were reportedly calm and didn’t show panic as they abandoned the sunken plane.

According to the information, the plane en route to Charlottesville, NC went down upon bumping on a flock of Canadian geese soon after take-off which caused both engines to stop a few minutes upon leaving La Guardia airport. The astonishing “miraculous” survival was mainly attributed to divine providence, the help of rescuers, the quick-thinking and skill of pilot Chelsey B. Sullenberger III and his crew who steered the plane into the ice-cold river. Many are overjoyed that no one died in this scary brush with eternity. (Photo Credits: Freeman; NYC Travis; Freeman) =0=