No kidding! I only mentioned it thinking that it could have contributed to the crash in some way. I have no idea whether that was or even could be the case. I just meant that there will be legions of lawyers circling around in hopes of finding some grounds for lawsuits.

That pilot sounds like a helluva a guy and a terrific pilot. They were lucky to have that particular pilot at the controls from the sound of it.

Ever notice that on the electric TeeVee, every small airplane is either a 'Cessna' or a 'Piper'?

I was out with the van when the news first broke. Our NYC news station, WCBS, an AM station has the reputation as a good source of news.

Over the first 10 minutes, the type of airplane changed from a regional jet to an A-380 to an A-320. Most of the remainder was sheer drivel...........filled with "ahh........ahh........ahh". The only info they really had was that an airplane crashed into the Hudson river. Nothing more. 5 seconds worth of information.

However, they proceeded to fill the space with anything that could possibly come into their heads..........terrorist plot.........collision with another plane..........all total BS, because they had nothing.

It's a shame that they bear no responsibility for disseminating false and misleading information. They do it constantly and there is never any repercussion.


Think about this: We have some knowledge of aircraft and can recognize BS when we see it. What about all other news stories where we are not part of the industry and don't have any prior knowledge? What can you conclude about those stories?

News coverage is getting much more immediate these days what with the advent of digital cameras that ave video capability and cell phones that can do video. It's amazing.

NEWS FLASH

Investigators make astonishing discoveries regarding the doomed aircraft of flight 1549 that landed safely in the Hudson River.

1. Only the left engine suffered a power loss.
2. This power loss was caused by a compressor failure due to improper maintenance procedures. Not bird ingestion.
3. The engines maintenance records have been tampered with.
4. The aircraft was returned to service with US AIR management knowledgeable of the situation with the engine.
5. The flight crew, after loosing the left engine, then went to full power on the right engine and then deliberately entered into a steep left hand turn which resulted in an unrecoverable loss of altitude.
6. The airport would have been within easy reach had they turned right instead of left.
7. Ditching into the river was the only option following this critical mistake made by the flight crew.

Wouldn’t that just rattle the pages ?!
Talk about a quick 180 in a story.

And talk about a sharkfest with the lawyers !! :eek:

Ummm...That I'm happy they aren’t happening in my back yard? :D

Exactly my thoughts. I think I see a lot of news stories on the ground, out in my pastures.

This just in...or out.
http://www.marlerblog.com/Cow-Pie-3.jpg

No kidding. Everyone's a reporter these days. All the local news channels have sites that you can go to and donate breaking news stories on.

As for Brians comments on the dead air time for a 5 second snip of info.
I also hate it when they ask the “professionals” that they bring on line questions that can’t really be answered. Like:
Can’t the engines just chew up geese and keep going?
Why didn’t they see the geese and turn?
How far can that plane glide?
How much does that plane weigh?
Why couldn’t they get the doors open sooner?

LOL :D

Love it, Randy.

On that note, I think I'll go play in this wind that's picking up a bit.

Cheers all -

Clear Prop !!

Tell us, if an airplane departed Runway 4 at LGA at 2026Z on 15 Jan, where would the sun have been in that bright, blue sky?

Not in his face. So what?

I wasn’t referring to that particular flight. Only the particular circumstances that you would like to have in your favor if you think you need to be looking out for birds with any chance of avoiding them.

Well, now is your opportunity for fortune and fame. Show those narrow minded oafs how to do it.

Could you be more precise?

Actually, when he hit the birds, the aircraft was on a heading of approx. 310 after climbing and turning over the Bronx. The sun would be about 45 degrees off the left side.

Our Cessna 185 amphib flies at about 115 kts or so, straight & level. Sometimes slower like 90 - 95 kts but that's for special occasions that make the right-seat squirm. We fly between 120 and 500 ft alt. We see birds, towers, guy wires, helicopters and tall trees as threats sometimes almost level (or above!) outside of the windows.

Even in a slow plane with both seats extremely attentive you can miss something. These include helicopters below the horizon, towers in the sun when you're turning, and flocks of birds minding their own business.

One time we were flying west from Key West and I looked over my right shoulder and saw a fast-moving blur approaching at high speed. before I could "uh" into the microphone an F15 went by us, left wing down. I could see the pilot and nfo. The time between "Uh" and doing something doesn't take long but it can sure kill you.

I mean, when you're zipping along in your 55 AMG at 130 mph on a public road, are you so deluded as to believe you have spotted and appropriately reacted to every threat?

And that's 2-d.