http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6997943.eceFrom Times Online January 22, 2010
Captain Sullenberger's Hudson River Airbus to be auctioned for scrap
For sale: one Airbus A320. Interesting history but slightly battered, with extensive water damage. Oh, and no wings.
Yours for $2 million... unless we get a better bid.
The aircraft famously landed in the Hudson River by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is to be auctioned off and, while it is hardly fit for flight, it could end up as scrap metal worth several million dollars.
Captain Sullenberger became an instant global hero after he was forced to ditch in the river six minutes after taking off from La Guardia Airport, in New York, last January when his plane, carrying 155 people, struck a flock of geese.
The birds caused an immediate and nearly complete loss of thrust from both engines but Captain Sullenberger's extraordinary actions meant that all of those on board survived.
After landing he walked up and down the aircraft twice to ensure that all of the passengers were off before he finally left the sinking craft.
"Aircraft suffered severe bird strike event resulting in water emergency landing," a notice from the insurance company selling the plane said.
Chartis Insurance, a subsidiary of the insurance giant AIG added: “Severe water damage throughout airframe. Impact damage to underside of aircraft.”
It is difficult to speculate how much the A320 could pull at auction. It has a legendary status but the lack of engines means that not only can it not fly again, but it also removes a possible source of valuable metal and spare parts.
However, the US magazine Metal Bulletin Monthly recently reported that a similarly junked Airbus A310, which sold for $2.6 million (£1.6 million), made its new owners $4 million when it was broken up for scrap.
