NEW YORK (CNN) -- The pilot aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1549 came over the speaker system and told passengers "brace for impact." One passenger turned on his cell phone so his body could be found with its GPS tracking. Others reflected on their lives. iReporter Julie Pukelis used a camera and a telescope to get this view of the crash scene on the Hudson River. Survivors said it was about 20 seconds later when the plane struck the water of the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon. Each of them lauded the heroics of the pilot, Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III.NEW: Passenger Valerie Collins says a back exit wouldn't open and water rushed inPassengers aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1549 hail the pilot for his heroicsPassenger Carl Bazariane: "We were all looking to see how we were gonna die""We have a second chance in life," Brad Wentzell says
_ cried when talking about returning home to snuggle with his young daughter.