US Air 1549 wasn't the first.

[SteveC]

For the youngsters, here's the story of an earlier era commercial airline ditching that turned out well. This one happened in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, though. They had mechanical issues, some engines shut down, and they burned too much fuel to make Hawaii or to return to Califormia. They circled a Coast Guard ship that was stationed mid-Pacific until they ditched in the morning. Incredible story:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_943

 

[Old Pete]

That incident was brought up in some of the previous threads on us air 1549. If people use "first" they usually qualify it by saying jet airliner, and I still don't know of any other jet airliner that has ditched with no fatalities.

 

[pavelump]

That incident was brought up in some of the previous threads on us air 1549. If people use "first" they usually qualify it by saying jet airliner, and I still don't know of any other jet airliner that has ditched with no fatalities.

Yeah, but pan am pilots were probably used to landing in the water! haha

 

[KVNC]

Interesting article, thanks Steve.