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Old 29th Sep 2011, 12:41
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twistedenginestarter
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Did Airbus save the day?

He didn't need Airbus technology to ditch it but ground effect took care of any descent rate he had approaching the Hudson. The results speak for them self.
I've just read the report. In no way does it criticise the pilots.

However the fact is Sully flew the plane slower than he should and slower than he meant to - that's what the report says.

The results were ... damage to the rear of the plane that might have been avoided if he had been at a higher speed into the flare, and thus with more energy to arrest the rate of descent.

His actions in the final moments were being mediated by envelope protection. It's not entirely clear whether that was benign or counter-productive but I still think there is an argument that a comparable B737 could have led to a more serious outcome. You can't say it wouldn't have made any difference because there clearly was computer intervention.
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