A U.S Airways flight heading to Amsterdam Airport from London City airport crash landed into the River Thames at 14:00 15th December, where not long after the Thames River Police and the RNLI made way to the scene.
London City Airport established that the plane experienced engine issues, which was later confirmed to be caused by 2 drones striking the planes engine in a collision. The pilot did try turning the plane around, however there was not enough power to proceed.The RNLI confirmed that the aircraft landed at the Purfleet RSPB Reserve approximately 100 miles from shore.
U.S. Airways employees dealing with the incident later announced that all 42 passengers and all 6 crew members came out without severe injuries, with only 2 passengers sustaining minor injuries. One passenger, suspected of having a heart attack, was transferred to Queens Hospital in Romford was later configured to be in a healthy condition.
The first to let the public know that all was accounted for was a photograph of a passenger, Nadine Johnson, that was posted on social media. Nadine emphasised that the pilot is truly the brains of the operation, a hero to all the passengers.
Once rescued and returned to shore by the RNLI via rafts, Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre began supplying the passengers with food and drink. All involved was encouraged to contact their friends and families during this time. London City Airport supported passengers seeking assistance in finding a way home, whether by taxi or another flight, for those who did not have a way home.
As it currently stands, US Airways US312 is under repairs with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The AAIB started to men the plane as soon as the passengers got off of the aircraft and was moved out of the river. It is to be believe that the AAIB will have the aircraft back to its normal condition in only a matter of a few days.