Assignment 4- Reagan Smith

On a Hazy New York day in 2009, a routine US Airways flight took off from New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) carrying 150 passengers and 5 crew members. Seconds later, birds struck the engine, causing the pilots to lose engine power. In less than a minute after taking off, the flight crew was faced with making tough decisions about how to proceed. Despite guidance from air traffic control advising the pilots to attempt to land back at LGA or a smaller airport, Teterboro in New Jersey, they knew that would not work. Their only option was to land the plane in the water. 

I felt particularly compelled to choose this picture at this time because as we reflect on a New York tragedy today on 9/11, we should also remember what many describe as The Miracle on the Hudson- that this plane was landed safely, against all odds, and that everyone survived. 

Picture Credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/miracle-on-the-hudson-photos-anniversary-_n_4604522.html