Emergency officials are responding to a downed plane in the Hudson River in New York City, according to the city fire and police departments.
The plane entered the water after a failed takeoff, the FAA says.
The FAA confirmed US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 headed from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, was down in the river following a failed takeoff.
Passengers stand on the rescue chutes and wings of US Airways Airbus 320A aircraft as a ferry pulls up to it after it ditched in New York's Hudson river. Photo Reuters
The U.S. Coast Guard said units were also responding, and a ferry on site was dropping life jackets into the water.
The plane approached the water at a gradual angle and made a big splash, according to a witness watching from an office building.
"It wasn't going particularly fast. It was a slow contact with the water that it made," the witness, Ben VonKlemperer, told CNN.
As of 4:28 Eastern Time Flightstats was reporting in error the following.
15 Jan 2009 - New York (LGA) to Charlotte (CLT) - 26 minutes late
Departed: 3:03 PM, Estimated arrival: 5:16 PM
15 Jan 2009 - Charlotte (CLT) to Seattle (SEA) - On schedule
Departure: 6:10 PM, Arrival: 8:56 PM
Hudson River water temp was reported to be 41.2 degrees F. The air temp was 20.9 with a strong wind.
Update:
A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson River in New York.
The Airbus A320 aircraft came down in the river having taken off from New York's La Guardia airport.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown says the US Airways Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia airport enroute to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the crash occurred in the river near 48th Street in New York city.
A US government official said the plane had been involved in a bird strike that disabled both of the aircraft's engines. It is not thought to be a terrorist-related crash.
"There is no information at this time to indicate that this is a security-related incident," Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. "We continue to closely monitor the situation which at present is focused on search and rescue."
Local media reports suggest the pilot was attempting to return to La Guardia after the bird strike. New York City firefighters are responding to the accident.
Stranded passengers were awaiting rescue on the rescue chutes of the stricken aircraft. It was not immediately clear if there were injuries.
"I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," said witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at Associated Press.
The plane was submerged in the -6C 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.
A passenger told CNN: "I was standing on the left wing for a little while. I hope none of us ever have to experience it again. I think everyone got out of the plane. I think everyone survived and that's miraculous."
Update:
A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson River in New York.
The Airbus A320 aircraft came down in the river having taken off from New York's La Guardia airport.
Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown says the US Airways Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia airport enroute to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the crash occurred in the river near 48th Street in New York city.
A US government official said the plane had been involved in a bird strike that disabled both of the aircraft's engines. It is not thought to be a terrorist-related crash.
"There is no information at this time to indicate that this is a security-related incident," Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner said. "We continue to closely monitor the situation which at present is focused on search and rescue."
Local media reports suggest the pilot was attempting to return to La Guardia after the bird strike. New York City firefighters are responding to the accident.
Stranded passengers were awaiting rescue on the rescue chutes of the stricken aircraft. It was not immediately clear if there were injuries.
"I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," said witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at Associated Press.
The plane was submerged in the -6C 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.
A passenger told CNN: "I was standing on the left wing for a little while. I hope none of us ever have to experience it again. I think everyone got out of the plane. I think everyone survived and that's miraculous."
God must of been watching over all 155 passengers and crew. Way to go Jesus!
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