NEW YORK — The probe into the crash-landing of a US Airways jetliner will take a year, and the lessons learned from the accident will last much longer, an investigator said Monday.
“I think this one is going to be studied for decades,” said Robert Benzon, chief investigator on the case for the National Transportation Safety Board. He said lessons learned from the successful ditching into the Hudson River in which all 155 people aboard survived could improve air safety.
The Airbus A320 that splashed down in the river Thursday was at a New Jersey salvage yard Monday, where it was being guarded by company workers, federal investigators and New York City police.
Pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed the plane in the frigid river after colliding with a flock of birds. The collision shut down both engines less than two minutes after takeoff.
The crew and the airline released separate statements Monday pleading for privacy.
The crew said they “wish to offer their sincere thanks and appreciation for the overwhelming support, praise and well wishes they have received from the public around the world since the events of last Thursday.”
They said they are willing to do media interviews “when the time is right.”
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