AIG Subsidiary Auctions Off “Hudson River Miracle” Plane

Next up on the auction block: The remnants of US Airways Flight 1549, the Airbus A320 last flown by Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously landed the plane on the Hudson River after a flock of birds disabled its engines. The plane, which is severely water damaged, missing two engines and cannot fly, is being auctioned by Chartis Insurance, an AIG subsidiary.

Source: Source: CNN | Published on January 22, 2010

Listed for sale “as is, where is,” the 'miracle' plane gained worldwide fame after the pilot saved all 155 people on board by safely landing on the frigid Hudson a year ago.

An accompanying notice from the insurer details that the "aircraft suffered severe bird strike event resulting in water emergency landing; severe water damage throughou tairframe. Impact damage to underside of aircraft."

Chartis Insurance has made sure that the plane has been cared for at its current resting place in Kearny, New Jersey- it applied a corrosion inhibitor last summer.

Prices of recycled aircraft vary, so experts say it is difficult to predict what the A320 would pull at auction, but Metal Bulletin Monthly recently reported that a similar junked Airbus A310 was sold for $2.6 million.

The auction, managed by Dan Akers of Chartis Insurance, is set to end on March 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET and is open to the public.