On Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:44:49 -0800, jcarlyle wrote:

2. Slats and flaps were deployed. Pictures in the NY Times this morning
showed the plane tied up at a NYC pier with the slaps and flaps still
out on the left wing.

I thought I'd seen a report of partial deployment. However, I also
remembered reading the report of the Air Transat Landing in the Azores.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236

That was an A330. It lost all hydraulics when the engines stopped, which
meant no flaps or spoilers. I didn't recall what type of Airbus that was
and assumed, wrongly, that the same problem would also get the A320. I'm
certain having flaps would have helped the ditching a lot, especially as
most of the fuel for the flight would have been on board.

"Sully" did a fantastic job ditching, but to me the real wonder was the
boats pulling everyone out so quickly. With such cold air, a swift
current, and some people immersed in the river after falling off the
wings, it's amazing no one was lost. If "Sully" landed where he did to
be near boats, he deserves all the thanks we can give him!

Yes, a very good call indeed.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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