Passengers on Ditched Jet Paid WHAT?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Passengers on Ditched Jet Paid WHAT?

Passengers aboard the ill-fated US Airways jet that collided with a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail and forcing the pilot to land in the Hudson River on January 15, will each be paid $5,000 to compensate them for lost luggage and other belongings.

The Associated Press reports that the airline has already sent a letter to the passengers with an airline executive saying she was "truly sorry." Passengers were told that the belongings they left in the plane will be stuck there for months as the accident is investigated. The airline will also reimburse the passengers for their ticket costs. The probe could last as long as one year, but the lessons learned form it will last much longer. "I think this one is going to be studied for decades," Robert Benzon, a senior NTSB investigator told AP. "In one like this, I think there's potential for a lot of good to come out of it, long-term good." The airliner is currently in a New Jersey salvage yard.

On January 19, investigators revealed that the jetliner had experienced an engine compressor failure two days before the accident occurred. It is the compressor that draws air into the engine. After the plane collided with the birds, who were sucked into the engines, Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was able to land the plane safely in the river. Everyone escaped. There were no fatalities and only minor injuries. Sullenberger has been declared an American hero and was congratulated in a phone call by President Barack Obama.
source: Netscape.com

------------------------------