Compressor stall The airliner successfully made a forced landing in a forest clearing without loss of life. On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, ditched in the Hudson River about five minutes after takeoff. The apparent cause was compressor stall in both CFM International CFM56-5B engines after flying through a flock of birds about 90 seconds after takeoff. This same aircraft may have suffered a compressor stall on the right engine two days earlier. After an incident in which an Airbus A321-200 experienced compressor stalls on both engines during initial climbout on December 15, 2008, an EASA Emergency
US Airways Flight 1549 water rose the attendant urged passengers to move forward by climbing over seats. One passenger was in a wheelchair. Finally, Sullenberger walked the cabin twice to confirm it was empty. The air and water temperatures were about and respectively. Some evacuees waited for rescue knee-deep in water on the partially submerged slides, some wearing life-vests. Others stood on the wings or, fearing an explosion, swam away from the plane. One passenger, after helping with the evacuation, found the wing so crowded that he jumped into the river and swam to a boat. Sullenberger had ditched near boats which facilitated rescue.