Insurer Selling Hudson River Splashdown Plane to North Carolina Museum

January 7, 2011

The US Airways jet that made a near-miraculous landing on the Hudson River just off New York City in 2009 will finally reach its destination, but as a museum piece rather than in service.

The Charlotte Observer reported that the Carolinas Aviation Museum has almost completed an agreement to buy the damaged plane from the insurance company that owns it.

The museum is in Charlotte, which was the destination of US Airways Flight 1549 until a flock of geese disabled the engines. Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed on the river and all 155 passengers and crew members were rescued.

Museum president Shawn Dorch would not disclose the cost of the plane.

The fuselage is in a New Jersey warehouse. Dorch says he hopes to have the plane on exhibit by May.