Amazing 737 landing on a New Orleans levee

[Minister of Truth]

Yes I saw that in the video. Co-pilot told him to watch out for that tree(?) on the left. Whew.

No George of the Jungle landing.

[Doc Dutch]

I was thinking about that. Apparently Sully was so complacent after so many years as a pilot. It's human nature.

It is human nature. He was only distracted for a moment but it was his bad luck that moment included a flock of geese on an intercept course. Not just that, but a flock so large it took out both engines. That's very rare indeed.

It only takes seconds which is why it takes constant vigilance at critical stages of flight. If he was climbing out at 180 knots, that's 3 nautical miles/minute or a mile every 20 seconds. It would be difficult to spot a flock of geese at a mile, depending upon lighting and angle. He would have to be looking straight ahead, spot them then react, which takes a second or two on its own. Bad luck coupled with high speeds and a momentary distraction is all it took.

FWIW, the First Officer was flying and would have been looking down at his instruments to maintain proper heading and climb speed.

[AProudLefty]

FWIW, the First Officer was flying and would have been looking down at his instruments to maintain proper heading and climb speed.

Oh yes. Like that co-pilot who told the pilot to watch out for that tree on the left. But yeah. There are too many factors, and that includes human nature.

[cancel2 2022]

Hmm. Now that's interesting. I wonder why they didn't mention that in the movie? Maybe they don't want to show his faults?

Why didn't the co-pilot spot them?

[AProudLefty]

Why didn't the co-pilot spot them?

Dutch Uncle answered that above my post.

[Doc Dutch]

Note in the transcript there are 33 seconds from when Sully comments about the Hudson to when he says "Birds", which is immediately followed by impact. Descending into a flock of birds is bad because they are under the nose and might not be seen until the last second but on climbout, they are above and in front.
If looking forward, large birds are relatively easy to spot much less a flock of geese. 33 seconds of distraction in a +6 hour flight (to Seattle) isn't much in comparison, but it was enough. Shit happens.

FWIW I've met Captain Sullivan a couple times at annual ALPA Safety conference in DC. Really nice guy and very humble. Part of that is because he knows as well as most airline pilots that it was partially his fault.

His mistake is in the CVR transcript: https://www.tailstrike.com/150109.htm
15:26:07 HOT-1 fifteen.
15:26:08 HOT-2 fifteen. climb.
15:26:10 HOT-1 climb set.
15:26:16 HOT-2 and flaps one please.
15:26:17 HOT-1 flaps one.
15:26:37 HOT-1 uh what a view of the Hudson today.
15:26:42 HOT-2 yeah.
15:26:52 HOT-2 flaps up please, after takeoff checklist.
15:26:54 HOT-1 flaps up.
15:27:07 HOT-1 after takeoff checklist complete.
15:27:10.4 HOT-1 birds.
15:27:11 HOT-2 whoa.
15:27:11.4 CAM [sound of thump/thud(s) followed by shuddering sound]
15:27:12 HOT-2 oh #.
15:27:13 HOT-1 oh yeah.
15:27:13 CAM [sound similar to decrease in engine noise/frequency begins]
15:27:14 HOT-2 uh oh.
15:27:15 HOT-1 we got one rol- both of 'em rolling back.
15:27:18 CAM [rumbling sound begins and continues until approximately 15:28:08]
15:27:18.5 HOT-1 ignition, start.
15:27:21.3 HOT-1 I'm starting the APU.

[cancel2 2022]

Dutch Uncle answered that above my post.

The military have radar to detect birds, but not on civilian airplanes apparently at least in 2009 anyway.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-tes...d-strikes/#app

[AProudLefty]

The military have radar to detect birds, but not on civilian airplanes apparently at least in 2009 anyway.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-tes...d-strikes/#app

Now that's interesting.

[cancel2 2022]

Now that's interesting.

Are you sure, shouldn't you run past Jack first?

[AProudLefty]

Are you sure, shouldn't you run past Jack first?

LOL. Maybe I should. He has bugged me a few times in the past.

[AProudLefty]

It is human nature. He was only distracted for a moment but it was his bad luck that moment included a flock of geese on an intercept course. Not just that, but a flock so large it took out both engines. That's very rare indeed.

It only takes seconds which is why it takes constant vigilance at critical stages of flight. If he was climbing out at 180 knots, that's 3 nautical miles/minute or a mile every 20 seconds. It would be difficult to spot a flock of geese at a mile, depending upon lighting and angle. He would have to be looking straight ahead, spot them then react, which takes a second or two on its own. Bad luck coupled with high speeds and a momentary distraction is all it took.

FWIW, the First Officer was flying and would have been looking down at his instruments to maintain proper heading and climb speed.

Ever seen the movie "Fearless"? What did you think of it?

The saddest part was about that woman thinking she could keep her baby safe by holding on the baby.

[Hawkeye10]

Ever seen the movie "Fearless"? What did you think of it?

The saddest part was about that woman thinking she could keep her baby safe by holding on the baby.

You are a worm.

I am sorry, I have tried to give you charity...but fuck U!

[AProudLefty]

You are a worm.

I am sorry, I have tried to give you charity...but fuck U!

Uh what? I think you misinterpreted my post.

[Hawkeye10]

Uh what? I think you misinterpreted my post.

I feel nothing but sadness for what you have become.

Some of us did better.

[AProudLefty]

I feel nothing but sadness for what you have become.

Some of us did better.

It will help if you explain what I did wrong.