BREAKING NEWS - PLANE CRASHES IN HUDSON RIVER

From the New York Post

 A US Airways plane that had just departed from La Guardia Airport with about 153 people aboard crashed into the freezing Hudson River after striking a bird that disabled two of the aircraft's engines, according to authorities.

"He was on a glide down, on a controlled landing, Neil Lasher, who saw the amazing crash landing from his 27th floor apartment, told WNBC TV. Then he thought, "Oh my God, this guy is going to land in the river. He's landing this thing."

The Airbus A320 plane was floating in the Hudson, near the West Side Highway at W. 50th St., as some terrified passengers sought refuge on the wings of the aircraft.

At least five New York Waterway ferry boats raced to the scene and began plucking passenger s from the water clad in yellow life vests from the plane as it bobbed in the river. The aircraft seemed to be sinking slowly - but as of yet, there amazingly have been no reported causalities.

"I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," said Barbara Sambriski, an Associated Press researcher who saw the river crash landing.

The plane, Flight 1549, had been headed to Charlotte, NC, before it crashed.

WNBC, citing a government source, said the plane's pilot may have hit a flock of geese just before the aircraft fell from the sky.

"I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water," said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers overlook the Hudson. "All the boats have sort of circled the area. ... I can't tell what's what at this point."

New York City firefighters, federal transportation officials and an armada of boats were responding to the accident.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows, and rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Several boats surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.

"I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water," said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers look out over the Hudson. "All the boats have sort of circled the area. ... I can't tell what's what at this point."

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit