Accident lessons

Real accidents and recurring accident types, grouped by aircraft system — what happened, the chain of causes, and what changed afterwards. Summaries only: open the official report for the full findings.

Unverified — check your manualText on this page is written from general knowledge. Figures marked ✓ are checked against official FAA/EASA data.See verified data

15 Jan 2009 · A320-214 (CFM56-5B)

US Airways 1549 — ditching on the Hudson

Report: NTSB AAR-10/03

CFM56 with fan cowls open — accessory gearbox, pipes and harnesses · *illustrative image*

What happened

Climbing out of LaGuardia at about 2,800 ft, the aircraft hit a flock of Canada geese and lost thrust on both engines. The crew ditched in the Hudson River; all 155 people survived.

Chain of causes

1Multiple large birds ingested in both engines — beyond engine certification standards
2Too low and too close for a return to any runway
3Dual-engine-failure checklist designed for high altitude — too long for this situation

Lessons

APU started early gave full electrical power and normal flight-control law
Prioritise: fly the aircraft, pick a landing site, then run checklists
Normal law and alpha protection let the crew fly at the best angle without stalling

What changed afterwards

Airbus and operators added a low-altitude engine-failure checklist; bird-strike certification and wildlife management were reviewed.

EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY. Content is summarised from manufacturer documentation for learning. It is not approved flight or maintenance data. Always use the current, aircraft-specific POH/AFM, FCOM, QRH, AMM and operator procedures.