Mayday Season 10 Episode 5 Hudson River Runway

On the fifth episode of the tenth season of Mayday, titled Hudson River Runway, viewers are taken back to the terrifying moments of US Airways Flight 1549 that crash-landed in the Hudson River.

The episode begins with the flight's takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York City and the sudden impact with a flock of geese that took out both of the engines. The captain, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and first officer, Jeff Skiles, were left with no power and only 208 seconds to react before their plane would hit the ground.

The episode then focuses on the quick thinking and teamwork that occurred on board the plane as well as on the ground. The events are recounted through interviews with passengers, key crew members and air traffic control, some of whom were highly emotionally affected by the events. Viewers hear from co-pilots who had flown with Sullenberger and described him as a hero who stayed calm under pressure.

As the plane was flying at a speed of 280km/h with both engines out, the pilots were communicating with air traffic control who tried to direct them back to LaGuardia Airport. However, the pilots quickly realized that they would not be able to make it back to the airport. They quickly decided to attempt an emergency landing on the Hudson River, which was the only viable option left.

The episode also covers the brave acts of the ferry crews who quickly responded to the scene. Many of them were shocked to see a plane landing on the water and were unsure of how to respond. However, they quickly realized the urgency of the situation and quickly became heroes in their own right. They were able to pull many passengers out of the water and transport them to nearby hospitals, saving many lives in the process.

The episode also shows the aftermath of the crash-landing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash and to prevent it from happening in the future. The investigators were aided by eyewitness accounts and data collected by the on-board flight recorders in their investigation.

The episode concludes with a reflection on the significance of the events of Flight 1549 in American aviation history. The incident was dubbed as the "Miracle on the Hudson" and was hailed as a testament to the professionalism and expertise of the pilots, crew, and first responders involved.

Overall, the episode provides a riveting account of one of the most dramatic aviation incidents in recent memory. It showcases the heroism of the pilots and crew and the bravery of the first responders who saved many lives. With its combination of interviews, dramatic reconstructions, and factual data, Hudson River Runway is a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation history and disaster investigations.