What happened to Flight 1549 and is it still in the Hudson
Flight 1549, the Airbus A320 operated by US Airways as US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009, is not still in the Hudson River. The aircraft was ditched on the Hudson after a dual-engine loss at takeoff from LaGuardia, was safely evacuated, and was subsequently recovered, repaired, and retired from service. No part of that airframe remains in the Hudson today.
The event and immediate outcome
On January 15, 2009, the flight experienced a bird strike shortly after liftoff, lost both engines, and Captain Chesley Sullenberger executed a successful emergency ditching on the Hudson River. All 155 people on board were rescued with minor injuries, and the evacuation was completed in about 20 minutes without loss of life.
Recovery and scrapping timeline
The aircraft was recovered from the Hudson in the days after the accident, towed to shore, and taken to a hangar for investigation. After the NTSB and airline review, the airframe was deemed beyond economical repair and was scrapped. Key recovery and disposition details are summarized below.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | Airbus A320-214, N106US | Operator registry |
| Date of accident | January 15, 2009 | NTSB report |
| Location | Hudson River, New York | NTSB/aviation authority |
| Occupants | 155 (150 passengers, 5 crew) | NTSB manifest |
| Outcome | All rescued; minor injuries | NTSB/operator |
| Aircraft disposition | Recovered, inspected, scrapped | Investigation conclusion |
Why the story persists
The successful ditching and full evacuation became a landmark example of crew decision-making and emergency management. Decades later, ‘the Hudson landing’ remains widely referenced in training, documentaries, and public memory, which can create ambiguity about the aircraft’s current status.
Key clarifications
- The aircraft is not in the Hudson and has not been displayed.
- No part of the airframe is preserved in the river.
- The crew and passengers survived; no fatalities occurred.
- The captain and crew remain active in aviation speaking and advocacy roles.
Takeaway
Flight 1549 is not still in the Hudson. The aircraft was recovered after the January 2009 ditching, inspected, and scrapped. The event endures as a benchmark of safety and crew professionalism, but the airframe is no longer in service or in the river.