Hudson River Crash Pilot--A Modern Day Hero

There are events in life where you are just amazed and astounded and truly count your blessings. . . Modern miracles and modern heroes are all around us and I just wanted to stop and pause and reflect on one from a recent event. . .

On January 15th of this year a US Airways Airbus 320 safely landed in the Hudson River off the shores of Manhattan without any fatalities! That pilot, rightly so, is being hailed as a hero. In my book he is most DEFINITELY a hero!



Chesley B. Sullenburger III was the pilot and this man flew F-4 fighter jets with the Air Force in the 1970s.

(That's the kind of guy you want flying your plane when something goes wrong and it is hurtling back to earth)

He had a pretty savvy co-pilot with him--who I also think deserves the 'Hero' title as well:



First Officer Jeffrey B. Skiles

What amazes me about these men is how CALM they were in the face of catastrophe. The pilot went through the plane TWICE to be sure everyone was safely off the plane before making the exit himself.

Here is a simulation of the crash with the ACTUAL AUDIO--it was less than 2 minutes when the pilot reported the 'bird strike' problem, till the plane crash landed in the Hudson. And he was so CALM! I was so impressed:



And the fact that there were rescuers and first responders within MINUTES on that river to help the crash victims is truly amazing as well. LOTS of heroes that day. It just gives me a great feeling that there is still hope and love and healing in this world. . .

Kudos to all those folks who helped in the rescue--modern day heroes! And what a blessing and miracle for all 155 people on board that flight who came away unharmed from that crash!