New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg honored rescuers Friday for their quick reactions after US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River.

During a news conference, Mayor Bloomberg announced pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and his crew will be getting the key to the city in the near future. Sullenberger was praised by the mayor for his "masterful? landing and for saving all 155 people aboard the aircraft.

The pilot and the crew of Flight 1549 will not be allowed in the public eye until the crash investigation is over. Bloomberg says the pilot walked through the plane twice to make sure everyone was out safely.

"He was the last one up the aisle and he made sure that there was nobody behind him," said Bloomberg.

The mayor also honored rescuers from the city's fire, police, marine and medical units. Also hailed as heroes were cruise line and ferry boat crew members, including New York Waterway Captain Vince Lombardi.

Flight 1549 went down shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport Thursday afternoon. National Transportation Safety Board members are on the scene investigating the cause of the crash. Sullenberger reportedly called an air traffic controller about a ?double bird strike.? Authorities believe the plane hit a flock of geese.

All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the plane in the water.

For extended coverage of the plane crash and news conferences, go to Channel 612 on your iO Digital Cable Box.

Investigatorsbegin probe of Hudson River plane crashFlight1549 pilot hailed as a heroUSAir plane plunges into Hudson, everyone survives