A United States Airways pilot ditched his disabled jetliner into the frigid Hudson River yesterday afternoon after a collision with a flock of birds apparently knocked out both engines.

Rescuers pulled all 155 people on board into boats as the plane sank, authorities say. The Fire Department said 78 people were injured but the extent of the injuries was not immediately known.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown said Flight 1549 had just taken off from LaGuardia Airport en route to Charlotte, North Carolina, when the crash occurred.