'Miracle On The Hudson' Happened Ten Years Ago

Tuesday marked the tenth anniversary of the "Miracle on the Hudson." To date, this remains the most successful ditching in aviation history. On January 15, 2009, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles made an emergency water landing on the Hudson River after multiple bird strikes into both engines.

Flight attendants Donna Dent, Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail safely evacuated all 150 passengers from the US Airways Airbus A320 as the plane sank into the Hudson River. The crew exhibited both professionalism and acts of heroism for successfully landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson and quickly evacuating a full aircraft on that cold January day.

Lori Bassani, National President of The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), made the following statement today regarding this historic anniversary:

"Flight attendants are skilled professionals who receive hundreds of hours of training. Each year our flight attendants are required to requalify in order to remain current on their safety duties. No one ever wants to have to use their emergency training in a real life situation. However, we know that with this training we are prepared to execute the duties and responsibilities that are second nature to us all. Donna, Doreen and Sheila exhibited those skills ten years ago, and their quick action saved the lives of 150 passengers. Today, APFA continues to honor our colleagues for representing our profession in its truest form."

(Image provided with APFA news release. Capt Sullenberger, FA Doreen Welsh, FA Donna Dent, FA Sheila Dail and FO Jeffrey Skiles)

FMI: www.apfa.org