• NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO DITCHING OF US AIRWAYS JETLINER
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                                                      NTSB ADVISORY
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
January 21, 2009
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NTSB ISSUES UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO DITCHING OF US
AIRWAYS JETLINER INTO HUDSON RIVER
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In its continuing investigation of US Airways flight 1549,
which ditched into the Hudson River adjacent to Manhattan at
approximately 3:30 p.m. on January 15, 2009, the National
Transportation Safety Board has developed the following
factual information:

The right engine has been externally examined and
documented. An examination of the first stage fan blades
revealed evidence of soft body impact damage. Three of the
variable guide vanes are fractured and two are missing. The
engine's electronic control unit is missing and numerous
internal components of the engine were significantly
damaged.

What appears to be organic material was found in the right
engine and on the wings and fuselage. Samples of the
material have been provided to the United States Department
of Agriculture for a complete DNA analysis. A single
feather was found attached to a flap track on the wing. It
is being sent to bird identification experts at the
Smithsonian.

The left engine has been located in about 50 feet of water
near the area of the Hudson River where the aircraft
ditched. The NTSB is working with federal, state and local
agencies to recover the engine, which is expected to occur
sometime on Thursday.

The NTSB has learned that the right engine experienced a
surge during a flight on January 13, 2009, and that
subsequent maintenance actions included the replacement of a
temperature probe. Investigators from the NTSB's
Maintenance Records group are researching this report by
examining applicable maintenance records and procedures.

The NTSB's Survival Factors group is in the process of
interviewing passengers to learn more about the events
surrounding the ditching and the emergency evacuation and
rescue. The Operations and Human Performance group is
interviewing US Airways flight operations training
personnel.

The checked and carry-on baggage is in the process of being
removed from the aircraft. Representatives from the NTSB's
Office of Transportation Disaster Assistance are working to
coordinate efforts with US Airways to return these items to
the passengers.

The on-scene documentation of the airplane is expected to be
completed by the end of the week. Preparations are underway
to facilitate movement and more permanent storage of the
airplane so that more detailed documentation of the damage
can be performed at a later date.

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AFA Local Numbers
 
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

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