CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Survivors of US Airways Flight 1549, known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” arrived in Charlotte Monday afternoon to commemorate the 10th anniversary on Tuesday.
On January 15, 2009, the Charlotte-bound plane took off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
Minutes later, a flock of geese hit the plane, forcing Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger to pull off what is described as one of the greatest feats in aviation history as he guided the plane to a safe landing on the icy Hudson River.
PHOTOS: The Miracle on the Hudson, 10 years later
Monday afternoon, many survivors of that landing took a commemorative flight from LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, sitting in their original seat assignments and toasting at the moment of impact at 3:31 p.m.
“It kind of brought back so many memories of 10 years ago,” said Eric Stevenson, a survivor on the flight. “But it was also emotional because we had friends and family, and we were together and we could celebrate.”
"It really was God putting Sully on that flight and everyone else, and Him saving me from the Hudson River,” Laurie Crane said. “I'm just so thankful to be alive 10 years later."
On Monday, the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) presented their new traffic safety program called Vision Zero. Red light cameras were not included; instead, CDOT recommended speed cameras.
CDOT said data showed speeding on Charlotte roads has been more deadly than drivers running red lights.
“45 percent of all our fatal crashes involve speeding as a component,” said Debbie Smith, deputy director of CDOT.
That’s compared to about five percent of deadly crashes involving running a red light, according to CDOT. NBC Charlotte asked if the data played a role in the recommendation of speed cameras instead of red light cameras.
Red light cameras were used in Charlotte between 1998 and 2006. However, the city suspended the program amid financial concerns, after a court ruled the city had to give almost all of its proceeds to schools. The debate over red light cameras reemerged earlier this year, as the number of deadly crashes increased.
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt will resign at the end of the academic year.
The university posted her letter to the Carolina Community on its website Monday. Folt also tweeted about her decision.
"I'm writing today to let you know that I have decided to step down as chancellor following graduation, at the end of the academic year," she wrote.
Folt also announced she authorized the removal of the base and commemorative plaques from the site of the "Silent Sam". The Confederate statue was toppled during a protest in August 2018.
Folt went on to add the base and tablets would be preserved until their future was decided. In December, she announced a plan to build a $5.3 million "center for history and education" to house the statue on campus, which prompted more protests.
While hosting Clemson University’s championship football team, President Donald Trump made an unusual choice in catering: McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Domino’s.
Some players whooped as they saw the mounds of fast food burgers, fries, salads and pizza piled high on silver platters at the State Floor in the White House. Trump says he served 1,000 hamburgers in total, all on his own dime.
“I like it all. I like it all. It’s all good stuff, great American food. And it’s going to be very interesting to see at the end of this evening how many are left,” Trump said.
Trump, a known fast-food enthusiast, said he had to decide between waiting to host the team, offering no food, or serving them “little quick salads” made by the first and second ladies. Instead, he said he decided to order fast food from “all American companies.”
Yuliana Guridy said she was awoken by the sound of smoke alarms Monday. When she got out of bed, she smelled smoke and saw flames coming from her 3-year-old son's bedroom.
Sitting on his dresser was the culprit: a melted and mangled toy clock. Teudy Guridy said he quickly got the clock on the floor and stomped out the fire. Thankfully, everyone was OK.
The toy is called the Illumination Entertainment Minions Musical Alarm Clock. The Guridy’s bought it for $5 last month at the now-closed K-Mart in Statesville on Broad Street. NBC Charlotte reached out to K-Mart by phone and online for comment. We have not yet heard back.