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Wednesday 21 January 2009

Flight 1549 jet suffered engine compressor failure two days before emergency landing

The US Airways jetliner that crashed into New York's Hudson River last week experienced an engine compressor failure two days earlier, safety investigators have said.

Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, said the board's examination of the Airbus 320's maintenance records show 'there was an entry in the aircraft's maintenance log that indicates a compressor stall occurred on January 13.'

The compressor, or fan, draws air into the engine.

Mr Knudson said the flight had a different pilot that day, and the board planned to interview that pilot to learn more about the incident.

NTSB investigators have so far not uncovered 'any anomalies or malfunctions with Flight 1549 from the time it left the gate at LaGuardia Airport on January 15 to the point the pilot reported a bird strike and loss of engine power.'

Pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger was able to glide to plane to an emergency river landing and there were no fatalities.

CNN has reported that passengers on Flight 1549 that left LaGuardia Airport on January 13 reported hearing loud bangs followed by an announcement from the pilot that the aircraft was either returning to LaGuardia or going to try to land - there were differing accounts of the pilot's statements. (Source: Daily Mail)