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Airbus crashes in New York river Airbus crashes in New York river
(10 minutes later)
A US airliner on a domestic flight with at least 152 people aboard has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City but with no loss of life.A US airliner on a domestic flight with at least 152 people aboard has crashed into the Hudson River in New York City but with no loss of life.
All 148 passengers and the crew of at least four were rescued from the sinking plane, the US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.All 148 passengers and the crew of at least four were rescued from the sinking plane, the US Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.
The US Airways Airbus A320 crashed just after taking off from LaGuardia Airport heading for Charlotte, North Carolina.The US Airways Airbus A320 crashed just after taking off from LaGuardia Airport heading for Charlotte, North Carolina.
Officials believe the plane may have collided with a flock of birds.Officials believe the plane may have collided with a flock of birds.
"There is no indication that the incident is security-related," a homeland security official told the BBC."There is no indication that the incident is security-related," a homeland security official told the BBC.
Rescue boats plucked passengers, who could be seen wearing life jackets, from the wings of the plane.Rescue boats plucked passengers, who could be seen wearing life jackets, from the wings of the plane.
The BBC's Greg Wood reports that the plane was drifting rapidly down the Hudson as the rescue was carried out. The BBC's Greg Wood, in New York, says that the plane was drifting rapidly down the Hudson as the rescue was carried out.
US Airways said it was confirming passenger and crew names from Flight 1549 and would issue them as soon as possible. It also gave an emergency number for people who believe they may have had relatives on the flight: 1-800-679-8215.US Airways said it was confirming passenger and crew names from Flight 1549 and would issue them as soon as possible. It also gave an emergency number for people who believe they may have had relatives on the flight: 1-800-679-8215.
Three minutesThree minutes
Flight 1549 departed LaGuardia at 1503 local time (2003 GMT), after a delay of 18 minutes, the airline said.Flight 1549 departed LaGuardia at 1503 local time (2003 GMT), after a delay of 18 minutes, the airline said.
It made a pretty big splash when it landed on the water Onlooker In pictures: New York plane crash'We knew we were going down'It made a pretty big splash when it landed on the water Onlooker In pictures: New York plane crash'We knew we were going down'
It is believed the plane had been in the air for three minutes after take-off when it crashed, said a spokeswoman for the US Federal Aviation Authority, Laura Brown.It is believed the plane had been in the air for three minutes after take-off when it crashed, said a spokeswoman for the US Federal Aviation Authority, Laura Brown.
One passenger told CNN: "A couple of minutes after taking off we heard a loud bang, the plane shook a bit and immediately we could smell smoke and fire." Kevin Johns, a former aircraft engineer in the US military, told the BBC he had seen the plane shortly before it crashed into the water.
A man who witnessed the crash told ABC that the pilots' efforts had helped ensure a relatively soft landing on the water. "When I saw it so low I thought right away of 9/11," he said.
"I saw the flames and I knew it was in trouble and that's why I called 911 right away to let them know it was in trouble. I thought it was trying to head for Newark or something."
Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, gives a statementDoug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, gives a statement
"From my window I saw the plane was coming down below the radar zone..." he said. Another, unnamed man who witnessed the crash told the BBC that the crash had seemed like a scene from a film.
"As it got closer to the water I saw the pilot, he made a last-ditch effort to try to gain altitude.
"And he did that for a few seconds and then the plane just came down and plopped on the water. Had he not done that he would have damaged the fuselage."
Another man who witnessed the crash told the BBC that the crash had seemed like a scene from a film.
"It looked crazy, it looked like a movie, it looked like a movie, it was incredible," he said."It looked crazy, it looked like a movie, it looked like a movie, it was incredible," he said.
"It made a pretty big splash when it landed on the water.""It made a pretty big splash when it landed on the water."
One passenger from the aircraft told CNN: "A couple of minutes after taking off we heard a loud bang, the plane shook a bit and immediately we could smell smoke and fire."
Bird strike theoryBird strike theory
The FAA said eyewitnesses had reported that the plane "may have flown into a flock of birds".The FAA said eyewitnesses had reported that the plane "may have flown into a flock of birds".
"Right now we don't have any indication this was anything other than an accident," Ms Brown said."Right now we don't have any indication this was anything other than an accident," Ms Brown said.
Joe Mazzone, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, told the Associated Press it was not unusual for birds to strike planes and when planes get ready to take off, if there are birds in the area, the tower will alert the crew.Joe Mazzone, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, told the Associated Press it was not unusual for birds to strike planes and when planes get ready to take off, if there are birds in the area, the tower will alert the crew.
"They literally just choke out the engine and it quits," Mr Mazzone said."They literally just choke out the engine and it quits," Mr Mazzone said.
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