'Hudson River Miracle' plane being auctioned off

New Jersey, Jan 22(ANI): The Airbus A320 last flown by Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the plane that famously landed safely on the Hudson River after a flock of birds disabled its engines is up for auction.

The 'miracle' plane gained worldwide fame after the pilot saved all 155 people on board by deftly bringing the craft down onto the frigid river in January 15, 2009.

The aircraft, which now is severely water-damaged, has two missing engines and cannot fly, is being auctioned by Chartis Insurance, a subsidiary of insurance giant AIG.

"Aircraft suffered severe bird strike event resulting in water emergency landing," The New York Post quoted a notice from the insurance company.Severe water damage throughout airframe. Impact damage to underside of aircraft," the notice added.

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 it's hard to guess 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 dollar. (ANI)