Bird feather found on US jet that landed in river

The remains of what might be a bird were found in the engine of the US Airways jet that was forced to ditch in New York's Hudson River, investigators said yesterday.

The National Transportation Safety Board said an examination of the Airbus 320's right engine revealed evidence of "soft body damage" and "organic material" was found in the engine and on the wings and fuselage. Samples of the material have been sent to the Agriculture Department for DNA analysis. A single feather was found attached to a flap track on the wing.

The pilot of flight 1549, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, reported a "double bird strike" and a loss of power in both engines last Thursday. The board also revealed that divers had found the airliner's left engine in about 50ft of water and that, two days before the accident, the aircraft's right engine experienced a power surge that required maintenance.