(Untitled)

[a_priori]

It's so strange to watch TV and know that the authorities are misinformed

Comments

[epictetus_rex]

Arrr... it's Davey Jones' Locker for US Airways Flight 1549.

[a_priori]

A lot of airplane terminology is borrow from nautical concerns: "captain", "crew", "stow", etc.

It's strange, though, to see this become so literal.

[thesleepyvegan]

hoses and balloons?

[a_priori]

That would be incredible to watch.

[flamingjune07]

I really hope it involves firing cannons off of an old-timey steamboat, but somehow I doubt it will.

[a_priori]

Probably not. But you could submit a suggestion to the City government.

[leftwinger]

Most likely way to get it out of the water is to inflate balloons under it that will push it above surface, let the water drain out, then stick it on a barge with some cranes. That thing will never fly again.

[a_priori]

Is that because it would be too expensive to renovate, or does submersion do irreparable damage to structural elements?

The plane is still in the river today. But now the river surface is half-frozen!

[leftwinger]

Well, there's probably structural damage from hitting the water (it's been proposed that hitting the water at high-speed is like slamming into a concrete wall), and most things inside don't react well to water. If the Hudson is saltwater, there's a big corrosion issue, but even if it's freshwater none of the electronics are going to be happy after going for a swim.

I heard some more about how they'll get it out. They're going to attach ropes to it and pull it out slowly, something like a few inches per hour, stopping for water to drain out of newly-exposed areas. Hope it doesn't break apart in the process!

[a_priori]

It looks like most of the plane is still intact, incredibly. The rear appeared to be a bit damaged, but otherwise the fuselage looks mostly unharmed.

Of course, this is a nonexpert judgment made from dozens of yards away with limited patience stemming from abysmal cold...