We have all read about the US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed into the Hudson River in New York City and the miraculous rescue of all 155 passengers. Evidently many lotto players were also paying attention to the news.

In New York's Win 4 game the number 1549 sold out 4:07 p.m. Thursday less than 40 minutes after Flight 1549 crashed into the Hudson River. By Saturday the number was sold out for Win 4's midday and evening drawings through Tuesday night and for the game's Wednesday drawing.

Many businesses that sell Lottery tickets were forced to post signs saying that the number 1549 was unavailable due to the sellouts. Workers at lottery terminals reported that Ninety out of every 100 Win 4 players since Thursday had requested the number 1549 and many lotto players were spending more than usual on lottery tickets.

Even combinations of the number 1549 were reported to be sold out and unavailable. Other states reported the popularity of the number. The Connecticut Lottery sold out of 1-5-4-9 in Thursday night's 'Play 4', since the number of tickets for any given combination are limited for liability reasons. On Friday Georgia Lottery officials reported a sellout of the number 1549 and its possible combinations. Georgia lottery players trying to play 1549 for the 11:34 p.m. drawing were told they had been locked out of the ticket machines sometime after lunch Friday.

The Pennsylvania lottery also reported a sellout on 1549 and combinations. Sellouts of certain numbers are not unusual at certain times of the year the best examples being 1225 at Christmastime and 2009 at New Years. One lotto terminal worker said it is unusual for news events to drive lottery sales.

LuckyLotto salutes the pilot and crew of Flight 1549 for their professionalism and courage that enabled all 155 passengers to survive without serious injuries.

Lottery players use a wide variety of methods to pick what they hope will be winning numbers. That so many players chose the numbers of flight 1549 comes as no surprise for many lottery observers. Recently some lottery played the prison numbers of recently convicted scammer Bernie Madoff. No matter what methods players use to pick winning numbers statistics clearly show that most big lottery winners had their numbers picked by a random number generator at lottery retailers.

Some states are thinking about allowing players to purchase lottery tickets online. Players could also access the latest lottery results and most state lottery websites are expected to offer random number generators similar to those found at traditional lottery terminals. Surveys show that most lottery players would welcome the ability to buy lotto tickets online.