'Miracle On The Hudson' Remembered On 13th Anniversary
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Saturday marks 13 years since the "Miracle on the Hudson."
Back on Jan. 15, 2009, Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was flying a U.S. Airways jet that suffered damage after hitting a flock of birds.
It happened moments after Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport.
PHOTOS: 'Miracle On The Hudson:' Then To Now
Sullenberger didn't think the aircraft would make it back to the airport, so he did what seemed to be impossible and managed to safely land the plane in the Hudson River.
New York Waterway ferry boat crews responded, saving passengers and crew members from the freezing waters.
"I maneuvered my vessel so that the rescue platform sat right over the submerged wing and I called over on the hailer. I said, you know, step forward, step up on the ladder, just let us know what kind of assistance you require," ferry captain Vincent Lombardi said.
"That would've been a major catastrophe if there would have been ice on the river," ferry captain Manuel Liba said.
All 155 crew members and passengers were rescued.
Sullenberger marked the anniversary on Twitter, saying it changed his life and the lives of his family and the passengers.
