“We are going to be in the Hudson.”
Those were the last words that the air traffic controllers would hear from US Airways flight 1549.
\ Until that point, everything had been routine. The lift off from New York’s LaGuardia airport was uneventful and the aircraft was gaining altitude. Approximately two minutes later, at 3,200 feet (980 m) the airliner flew into a flock of “Canada Geese”. Moments later, Captain Chesley Sullenburger made his first distress call stating, "Hit birds. We lost thrust in both engines. Returning back towards LaGuardia."
As the Captain turned the airliner back in a southbound direction, it soon became obvious that they did not have the altitude or the air speed to make it back to the airport. Sullenburger asked if there was another option. Air traffic control responded that “Teterboro” airport in New Jersey was to his right.
As the plane passed over the “George Washington bridge” (at a height of less than 1000 feet), Captain Sullenburger was told that he was cleared for landing at Teterboro. He responded, “We can’t do it. We are gonna be in the Hudson”.
To me, one of the most interesting parts of this whole event is listening to the Captain as this unfolded. He sounds completely calm and in control throughout the entire ordeal (To hear the tape of the flight, go to “Wikipedia” and search for “Miracle on the Hudson”). Even when he states that they are going to ditch the plane in the river, there is not a trace of panic in his voice.
Later, when reporters asked him what he was thinking as he said those words, Sullenburger responded, “I was thinking, ‘I can do this’”. When asked to elaborate, he explained that all pilots are trained to deal with emergencies, including water landings. He simply recalled what he had been taught and put it to use.
In other words, he was prepared for the crisis long before the crisis came.
I do not know what you are going through right now. Maybe you are in a time of crisis and you are trying to “land your plane”. If that is true, I pray that you remember where your hope, help and strength can be found.
If, however, things are good right now, may I remind you that this is no time be lazy about Spiritual things. Rather, this is the time to be praying, reading, learning and developing a relationship with the Lord.
Now is the time to prepare for whatever is to come, so that you too can say, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 3:13).
Those were the last words that the air traffic controllers would hear from US Airways flight 1549.
\ Until that point, everything had been routine. The lift off from New York’s LaGuardia airport was uneventful and the aircraft was gaining altitude. Approximately two minutes later, at 3,200 feet (980 m) the airliner flew into a flock of “Canada Geese”. Moments later, Captain Chesley Sullenburger made his first distress call stating, "Hit birds. We lost thrust in both engines. Returning back towards LaGuardia."
As the Captain turned the airliner back in a southbound direction, it soon became obvious that they did not have the altitude or the air speed to make it back to the airport. Sullenburger asked if there was another option. Air traffic control responded that “Teterboro” airport in New Jersey was to his right.
As the plane passed over the “George Washington bridge” (at a height of less than 1000 feet), Captain Sullenburger was told that he was cleared for landing at Teterboro. He responded, “We can’t do it. We are gonna be in the Hudson”.
To me, one of the most interesting parts of this whole event is listening to the Captain as this unfolded. He sounds completely calm and in control throughout the entire ordeal (To hear the tape of the flight, go to “Wikipedia” and search for “Miracle on the Hudson”). Even when he states that they are going to ditch the plane in the river, there is not a trace of panic in his voice.
Later, when reporters asked him what he was thinking as he said those words, Sullenburger responded, “I was thinking, ‘I can do this’”. When asked to elaborate, he explained that all pilots are trained to deal with emergencies, including water landings. He simply recalled what he had been taught and put it to use.
In other words, he was prepared for the crisis long before the crisis came.
I do not know what you are going through right now. Maybe you are in a time of crisis and you are trying to “land your plane”. If that is true, I pray that you remember where your hope, help and strength can be found.
If, however, things are good right now, may I remind you that this is no time be lazy about Spiritual things. Rather, this is the time to be praying, reading, learning and developing a relationship with the Lord.
Now is the time to prepare for whatever is to come, so that you too can say, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 3:13).
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