WASHINGTON, D.C.—
The first of three major hearings on airplane safety got underway Tuesday morning in Washington D.C. Officials say the prospect of planes hitting birds is a big concern.Migratory canadian geese hit the engines of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in January.
The pilot, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, was forced to make a splash landing in New York's Hudson River.
He's credited with saving everyone onboard.
New transcripts released Tuesday show the pilots of US Airways Flight 1549 were admiring the view of the Hudson River less than minute before they struck a flock of Canada geese.
Only minutes later their plane and all 155 people aboard were in the same river.
A cockpit voice recorder transcript shows Captain Chesley Sullenberger remarking to co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles, "Uh, what a view of the Hudson today."
Skiles responded: "Yeah"
Less than a minute later Sullenberger says, "birds." Skiles says, 'Whoa,' and there is the sound of thumping.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a transcript of the Jan. 15 flight.
The National Transportation Safety Board hearings will also examine -- among other things -- how a rear door was opened just after the plane's safe emergency landing in New York's Hudson River.
Experts say the plane and its 155 passengers and crew came within inches of catastrophe after the door was opened and water began gushing into the cabin.
The NTSB hearings will also look into issues such as crew training, and bird detection and mitigation efforts at airports.
