NEW YORK -- A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson River, sending passengers fleeing for safety in the frigid waters.

New York City firefighters, federal transportation officials and an armada of boats were responding to the accident. It was not immediately clear if there were injuries.

"I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," said witness Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows, and rescue crews had opened the door and were pulling passengers in yellow life vests from the plane. Several boats surrounded the plane, which appeared to be slowly sinking.

"I saw what appeared to be a tail fin of a plane sticking out of the water," said Erica Schietinger, whose office windows at Chelsea Piers look out over the Hudson. "All the boats have sort of circled the area. ... I can't tell what's what at this point."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Jeffvette wrote:
Every passenger probably has skid marks.

pianoguy wrote:

Amazing if everybody came through it OK, though!

A 12-pound Canada goose striking an aircraft going 150 mph at lift-off generates the force of a 1,000-pound weight dropped from a height of 10 feet, according to Bird Strike Committee USA.

BrianCunningham wrote:

Sure enough the chicken hits the blades and gets chopped up...

... followed by a cat, which evidently decided to have lunch as well.

Matatk wrote:

Quote:

A 12-pound Canada goose striking an aircraft going 150 mph at lift-off generates the force of a 1,000-pound weight dropped from a height of 10 feet, according to Bird Strike Committee USA.