On this day - 15 January

US Airways Flight 1549 was flying from New York on January 15th 2009 when it struck a flock of birds not long after take off. This resulted in loss of power to all engines and left the aircraft in a difficult position given its distance from runways and its low altitude. The pilot and co-pilot acted quickly and carried out an emergency water landing on the Hudson river. All the passengers survived and were rescued by local boats although many sustained injuries.

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