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A visual inspection of the left engine of the United States Airways jetliner that ditched in the Hudson River found no evidence of organic matter, but there are signs the plane hit a soft body, federal investigators say. This engine and the right engine, which remained attached to the Airbus A-320 after the January 15 ditching, will be shipped to their manufacturer, CFM International, in Cincinnati for thorough examination by safety board investigators. The pilot reported the plane hit a flock of birds shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport which shut down both his jets. The left engine had dents on its inlet lip and broken and missing guide vanes. The right engine had "soft body damage" and "organic material" was found in that engine and on the wings and fuselage. A single feather also was found.
