Jan 16, 2009 7:48 pm US/Eastern
Flight Simulator Looks At Miraculous Water Landing
NASHUA (WBZ) ―
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The owner of Nashua Flight Simulator, Steve Cunningham, demonstrates what a water landing would look and feel like using a flight simulator.
WBZ
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Passengers in an inflatable raft move away from US Airway Flight 1549 Airbus A320 jet after it crashed in Hudson River.
AP
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Passengers are rescued from US Airway Flight 1549 Airbus A320 jet after it crashed in Hudson River, New York.
AP
Local flight instructors are calling Pilot Chesley Sullenberger's actions yesterday flawless, and they say they will likely use his poise under pressure in their training. "It was the epitomy of cool and it reflects his training," says owner of Nashua Flight Simulator, Steve Cunningham.
Nashua Flight Simulator instructor and former Delta pilot Forrest Nelson recreated Flight 1549's scenario on a simulator and demonstrated what it was like to be at the controls.
Nelson says the plane had just taken off, and was about 3200 feet in the air when pilots and passengers felt a jolt. He says the pilots probably didn't see the birds. "The bird strike was probably a violent event. The engines probably stalled and shook violently."
Nelson says after losing both engines, Sullenberger used the rudder to stead the plane. He couldn't make it to either LaGuardia or a New Jersey airport, and his best option was the Hudson River.
Sullenberger had to keep the plane steady as it glided down.
When asked how pilots land in the water with no engines, Sullenberger said, "As slowly as possible," Nelson says.
Nelson explained it would be a disaster if the plane dipped and a wing went into the water.
"It would tear the plan apart," he said.
The flight instructors also credited the flight attendents for their clear thinking and quick action in the successful evacuation of the plane.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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