Both Turbofans Will Be Shipped For Forensic Analysis

The following is an update on the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation of US Airways flight 1549, which ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009.

The left engine, which had separated from the aircraft during the ditching, was recovered from the Hudson River on Friday afternoon, January 23, 2009. The initial external examination of the engine revealed dents on both the spinner and inlet lip of the engine cowling.

Five booster inlet guide vanes are fractured and eight outlet guide vanes are missing. A visual examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of organic material; there was evidence of soft body impact damage.

Both of the engines will be boxed and shipped to the manufacturer in Cincinnati where NTSB investigators will oversee a complete tear-down of each engine. Advanced technology will be employed to detect any organic material not apparent during the initial visual examination.

Several NTSB investigators remain on-scene and are supervising Airbus technicians as the aircraft wreckage is prepared for long-term storage. This process includes removing the wings and the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The aircraft wreckage will be shipped to a secure storage facility where it will remain available to the NTSB throughout the course of the investigation.

The NTSB wishes to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the numerous federal, state and local agencies that worked so closely with Safety Board investigators and were of great assistance throughout the entire on-scene phase of the investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov