Tag Archives: 2009

15 January-Flight 1549

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US Airways Flight 1549 was forced to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey in January 2009 when it suffered complete engine failure due to bird strikes. All passengers and crew were saved in what became known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’. The ditching of the aircraft is regarded by many as the most famous forced landing of all time

US Airways Flight 1549 took off from La Guardia Airport in New York on a scheduled flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The Pilot was Captain Chesley Sullenberger. The First officer Jeffrey B. Skiles was at the controls. The plane, an Airbus A320 had 150 passengers and 5 crew on board. Just over three minutes into the flight the plane struck a flock of Canada geese. By then it had reached an altitude of almost 900m (3000 feet) and was about 7km (4.5 miles) from the airport. The plane lost power in both engines and Capt. Sullenberger took the controls while First Officer Skiles tried to restart the engines.

The crew quickly decided that they would have to make an emergency landing. When they realised that they would be unable to reach any airfield they turned the aircraft in the direction of the Hudson River. The aircraft was successfully ditched in the river and all 155 persons on board, safely evacuated the airliner. They were quickly rescued by commercial vehicles on the river. Captain Chesley Sullenberger was the last to leave the plane.

Sullenberger, who had served as a pilot with the US Air Force had been a commercial airline pilot for 29 years. The successful emergency landing made him and instant hero and an international celebrity. The event was described as ‘the most successful ditching in aviation history’ by a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

US Airways Flight 1549 was brought to a safe landing on the Hudson River, New York in the year 2009 On This Day.

US Airways Flight 1549 photo

Photo by davidwatts1978

US Airways Flight 1549 Plane Crash Hudson in New York taken by Janis Krums on an iPhone by davidwatts1978 on 2009-01-15 14:12:23

Chesley Sullenberger photo

Captain Chesley Sullenberger and Wife Lorrie

 

 

 

25 June-Michael Jackson

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Michael Jackson was a best-selling singer, songwriter and dancer who was a native of the USA. He was a global figure in the entertainment industry and was known as the ‘King of Pop’. He achieved success both as a member of his family group the ‘Jackson 5’ and as a solo artist. In 2009 he suffered a cardiac arrest and died at the age of 50. His personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29th 1958. He began performing with his family group, the Jackson 5 at the age of six. He quickly became the dominant performer of the group. He began his solo career in 1971. Jackson achieved worldwide success producing albums such as ‘Thriller’ which became the best-selling album of all time.

Michael Jackson, who was a best-selling singer, songwriter and dancer, died aged 50 in the year 2009 On This Day.

Michael Jackson photo

Photo by Luiz Fernando Reis MMF

Michael Jackson

26 September-Visual Carlow Ireland

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The VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre is based in Carlow town, Ireland. It is located in the grounds of Carlow College close to the town centre. The multi-disciplinary arts facility came about through collaboration between Carlow local authorities and local theatrical and arts groups over several generations.

George Bernard Shaw inherited properties in Carlow town. He bequeathed some of these to Carlow Urban Council in 1944. He intended that the rent from these properties would form the nucleus of a Civic Improvement Fund. In 1954 the County Manager in Carlow established an ‘Arts Council’ to advise him on the best use of the Shaw funds. This helped establish a link between the council and local arts and theatrical groups. Carlow Arts Festival (Éigse) began in 1979. In the intervening years it has promoted a vibrant and extensive annual programme of events.

By the 1990’s in response to strong local interest the local authorities in Carlow became involved in the establishment of an arts centre in the town. Through the Arts Office in the Council, an annual programme of artistic events and exhibitions called VISUALISE was established. The programme put in place the structures for the establishment of the centre which is now known as the VISUAL.

With an area of over 3,000 square metres VISUAL is a multi-disciplinary arts facility housing a 300 seat performing arts theatre, four principle gallery spaces, restaurant and bar. It has a well-deserved reputation for presenting the best of local, national, and international work in the visual and performing arts. The unique structure was built with local and national funding. VISUAL was designed by British architect Terry Pawson, following an international architectural competition.

The VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre was officially opened in the year 2009 On This Day.

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Visual Carlow