Aircraft

US Airways chief executive Doug Parker and representatives the US National Transportation Board (NTSB) are en route to New York as an investigation gets underway of a crash landing an Airbus A320 into the Hudson river.

Parker has confirmed that 150 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants were onboard the scheduled flight from LaGuardia airport to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Emerging details indicate Flight 1549 took off from runway four and was airborne anywhere from three to six minutes before the pilot reported a double bird strike. There has been no confirmation if the birds struck both powerplants or a single engine.

CNN is citing a source indicating that LaGuardia opened up both runways for an emergency landing, and at one point the pilots were considering landing at nearby Teterboro airport in New Jersey.

A passenger onboard commended the pilots for a smooth landing, and explained the flaps appeared to be extended. Seated near the left wing, he reported the left engine did flame out.

NTSB has designated senior air safety investigator Robert Benzon as the investigator-in-charge of the 20-member team designated to investigate the incident.