This series of photos showing the raising of the “Miracle on the Hudson” USAirways jet from the bottom of the river were forwarded to me today. I can’t know for sure where they came from, but the body of the email indicated they were taken by the crane operator lifting the Airbus out of the Hudson River and went on to say:
“Note that only one engine was sheared off, not both… And considering that landing in water is like landing on concrete, not a whole lotta damage to the Airbus fuselage… Musta been one helluva great splash landing.”
Toward the end of the series, note the cracked nose of the fuselage. Hard to believe it didn’t sink outright. Now it’s off to Jersey City, where it will undergo extensive inspection and investigation. Really remarkable photos.
Tugs bring in the barge on which the raised jet will be placed
Crane lowers apparatus that will bring the plane up
Crew prepares to raise the aircraft
Tugboat upon which the crane is mounted
The tail of the jet begins to emerge from the frigid waters of the Hudson
A little higher....
Fuselage begins to appear....
More of the fuselage is revealed....
Side view of the front of the fuselage and nose
Wings begin to appear as the raising continues
Both wings now clearly visible
Hosing the mud from the river off the wing
Note the crack in the nose....
And one sheared off engine
Moving the jet over to the barge
Coming to rest on the barge
Carefully, carefully....
How did this thing NOT sink with everyone in it???
LOOK at that engine!
Off to Jersey City, where it will be examined with a fine tooth comb
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Posted in Travel industry news | 
Airbus, aircraft, crane operator, flying, Miracle on the Hudson, photos, plane crashes, Travel, USAirways
