Eyewitness News had extensive breaking news coverage on-air and online as soon as word of the water landing hit our newsroom that cold afternoon.
Re-watch our coverage from that day, pulled from our vast video archive, in the player above.
The event made Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger a household name after the courageous captain and his crew piloted the crippled jet and made an unthinkable belly-first landing on the frigid waters of the Hudson.
This year, Sullenberger is asking for thoughts from people who were in any way affected by the events of that day.
“As we reflect this year, Lorrie & I would love to hear from those who were affected in any way – what memories you have & the story you took with you from your experience,” he wrote on Twitter. The entire thread can be read below.
1/3 Throughout my career, I have clearly understood that in flying, nothing can be left to chance. New #5G frequencies are very close to and can interfere with the frequencies used by critically important cockpit safety devices, especially when we need them the most.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 5, 2022
2/3 I share the view that the implementation date should be delayed for the telecom industry to share their data.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 5, 2022
3/3 This will allow government agencies the time needed to fully assess mitigations that can be put in place to keep passengers and crews safe, prevent disruptions to air travel and commerce and allow expansion of 5G and #aviation to safely co-exist.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 5, 2022
4/6 It was the first time we had ever heard that some buildings near the #Hudson River and surrounding areas had been evacuated that day. It’s astonishing to think of how many stories have yet to be heard.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 11, 2022
5/6 As we reflect this year, Lorrie & I would love to hear from those who were affected in any way – what memories you have & the story you took with you from your experience. Please share in the comments below. I will be resharing these stories on Instagram throughout the week.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 11, 2022
6/6 I would also like to sincerely thank those who have shared their experiences with us so far; they are often so touching and moving and we are continually amazed by them.
— Sully Sullenberger (@Captsully) January 11, 2022
Miraculously, all 155 people on board were rescued. But watching a plane with people standing on the wings in freezing temperatures floating down the Hudson was a sight many could not believe — or forget.
Our live coverage continued with extensive coverage from the ground and in the air. Watch part 2 here:
Hours later, Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave an update. You can watch it here:
Our team coverage continued at 7 p.m. that night. Watch it here:
We followed that special report with in-depth reporting at 11 p.m. that night:
Check out photos of the scene of the landing here:
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport for Charlotte, North Carolina, when a flock of geese disabled the engines.
Circling west and then over the George Washington Bridge, the plane with 150 passengers and five crew members glided to a water landing.
“I saw half the plane submerged in the water and was just astounded by the miraculous event that just occurred and was just thankful, just absolutely thankful,” passenger Ian Wells said.
Those on board then began moving precariously out onto both wings in what has become an iconic picture.
“I went out and slipped off the wing and went into the water,” passenger Eileen Shleffar said.
Watching the unbelievable drama unfold, ferry captains from New York Waterways then became the first to reach the plane and began rescuing people.
Captain Vince Lombardi’s boat was the first.
“It just goes to prove what discipline and hard work and teamwork, how successful it turns out,” he said.
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Ex-Brit turned Manhattan resident since 2008.