Nearly Two Decades Later, 'We're Gonna Be In The Hudson' Remains One Of Modern Aviation's Most Famous Radio Calls

On January 15, 2009, Captain Sully Sullenberger transmitted six words to New York TRACON that became the most recognized radio call in modern commercial aviation: "We're gonna be in the Hudson." Three minutes earlier, US Airways Flight 1549 had departed LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with 155 people on board. A flock of Canada geese struck both engines simultaneously at 2,818 feet (859 meters), leaving the Airbus A320 without thrust over one of the most densely populated areas in the United States. Sullenberger ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River. Everyone survived.