It happened on this day - 15th Jan in 2009

On this day in 2009, the event known as "The Miracle on the Hudson" happened, as a pilot landed a commercial aircraft packed with passengers safely on the Hudson River in New York City.

The "Miracle on the Hudson" refers to the remarkable emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport, the Airbus A320 struck a flock of Canada geese, causing both engines to lose power. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles faced a critical decision as the plane lost altitude rapidly. Determining that returning to LaGuardia or diverting to another airport was not feasible, Captain Sullenberger opted to attempt a water landing on the Hudson River.

The successful ditching was executed with exceptional skill, and all 155 people aboard survived, with only minor injuries reported. Rescue efforts were swift, with nearby ferries, boats, and emergency services assisting passengers as they evacuated onto the plane’s wings or into lifeboats. The incident was widely celebrated as a testament to the importance of rigorous pilot training and teamwork, and Captain Sullenberger was hailed as a hero. Such was the impact, a feature film titled Sully was released in 2016 depicting the miracle landing, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks as Captain Sullenberger.