Why didn't the plane sink in Sully?
Why didn't the plane sink in Sully? Some 3 1/2 minutes after colliding with the birds, the plane landed in the river. The fuselage's aft end made first contact, and that section suffered severe damage, notably a rupture that allowed water to enter the aircraft. However, the plane remained buoyant, thanks in part to the fuel tanks, which were not full.
Could Sully have landed elsewhere?
To Sully's surprise, the live, virtual simulations showed that the aircraft could make it back to both LaGuardia and Teterboro airport. That could not be possible. Sully knew that the plane did not have the speed needed to make it back; they were descending too fast.
How much money did the passengers of Flight 1549 get?
Each passenger later received a letter of apology, $5,000 in compensation for lost baggage (or more if they could demonstrate larger losses), and a refund of their ticket price. They also later received any belongings that had been recovered.
Did Sully ever fly again?
Capt. Sully returned briefly to flying for US Airways several months after his famous flight, and retired from the airline business later in 2009, landing a lucrative book deal and speaking engagements.