NEWBURGH – The pilot who crash-landed into the Hudson River remained calm during the perilous descent. Thirty-one-year-old Liam Darcy, a flight instructor from South Hampton on Long Island, was on a training flight with his 17-year-old student when he was forced to .
Darcy and his student were heading to Stewart International Airport in Newburgh from Long Island for additional training.
When the plane experienced engine trouble, Darcy notified the air traffic controller at Stewart and was advised to fly over the Hudson River, where he eventually crash-landed the plane just south of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. The instructor and student swam fifty feet in the icy water to reach the shore, where they were met by first responders.
Segment of radio communications between the plane and flight control:
Darcy: I think I might have to put it in the water.
Flight Control: Roger. Keep me advised. We’ll send some help.
Darcy: Uh…we’ve lost our engine.
Flight Control: Assistance is on the way.
Darcy: We are going to go into the Hudson
Flight Control: Say again, please.
Darcy: We’re going into the Hudson River – I don’t think we’re going to make the airport.
The extended radio communication between Darcy and the tower can be heard by clicking on the video link above.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
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