As managing editor of The Canton Repository reports that Larry Snodgrass, national sales manager for Massillon, Ohio-based U.S. Chemical & Plastics, was one of the 155 passengers on US Air Flight 1549, the plane that made an emergency landing on Thursday afternoon in the icy Hudson River.
Settling in for the ride home, Snodgrass waited for when he could take out his laptop. He had only been in the air for five minutes when he heard an explosion.From his seat near the right wing, Snodgrass could see "a huge ball of fire." He felt the plane turn, but assumed they would make it back to the airport.
"I thought it was an engine issue and that was about it," he said.
Then the captain's voice came over the cabin speakers.
"Prepare for impact."
Some passengers on the plane prayed. Children were crying.
Snodgrass said he had just enough time to turn on his Blackberry and bang out a text message to his wife, Carol, before the plane splashed into the water.
In the message, Snodgrass said he explained how the engine had exploded and the plane was going to crash. He told her how much he loved her and their two adult children.
The jet dug into the water like it was wearing cleats.
"The captain did one heck of a job with landing the aircraft," Snodgrass said.
Within moments, he was on the wing, helping other passengers into rafts. He also called Carol to tell her he was safe.
All 155 passengers survived.
U.S. Chemical & Plastics supplies products for repairing vehicle finishes, including liquid and gel resins used to bind fiberglass.