The flight is believed to have encountered multiple bird strikes within two minutes after takeoff from LGA resulting in a complete or partial loss of thrust from the plane’s two engines. The airplane ditched in the Hudson River less than six minutes after takeoff.

According to FlightAware.com the maximum altitude was 3200 feet before the aircraft began a descent into the water. The last radar return received by FlightAware showed the aircraft at 300ft and 153kts (176mph).

Only 3000ft … that’s not much …

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090115-0

Very impressive CV too:

Served as NASA Aviation Safety Research Consultant evaluating cockpit systems for reducing runway incursions. Co-authored published technical paper on crew decision-making errors in aviation working with NASA Ames researchers which provided blueprint for safer pilot training, procedures and standardization.

19,000 flight hours … Owner of Safety Reliability Methods Inc.

found here: http://safetyreliability.com/profiles

Sounds really like a best-case szenario for such a crash … well done