US Airways flight 1549 | Description, Pilot, & Facts (2024)

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US Airways flight 1549 | Description, Pilot, & Facts? ›

Given their position in relation to the available airports and their low altitude, pilots Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles decided to glide the plane to ditching on the Hudson River near Midtown Manhattan. All 155 people on board were rescued by nearby boats.

In 2009, pilots Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeffrey Skiles of US Airways Flight 1549 were forced to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River. While many were injured, all 155 people aboard survived. The incident was dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson" by then-New York Governor David Paterson.

Sullenberger retired from US Airways in 2010, after 30 years as a commercial pilot. In 2011, he was hired by CBS News as an aviation and safety expert.

As pilot in command of the US Airways Flight 1549 that was dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson," Captain Sullenberger has been hailed as a national hero for his quick thinking and outstanding aviation skills that saved the lives of 155 passengers and crew on January 15, 2009.

Each passenger later received a letter of apology, $5,000 in compensation for lost baggage (or more if they could demonstrate larger losses), and a refund of their ticket price. They also later received any belongings that had been recovered.

On Jan. 15, 2009, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, a commercial airline pilot of 30 years, piloted an emergency landing on the Hudson River.

Board member Robert Sumwalt, who will chair the hearing, said Campbell has told NTSB investigators that it was flight attendant Doreen Welsh who cracked open the door, not a passenger.

During his active duty, he was stationed in North America and Europe. After serving in the Air Force, in February 1980 he became an airline pilot with Pacific Southwest Airlines, later acquired by US Airways, until his retirement from commercial flying in March 2010. He still flies privately.

Some 3 1/2 minutes after colliding with the birds, the plane landed in the river. The fuselage's aft end made first contact, and that section suffered severe damage, notably a rupture that allowed water to enter the aircraft. However, the plane remained buoyant, thanks in part to the fuel tanks, which were not full.

So, although the plane did crash, due to the loss of altitude caused by the loss of both engines (likely due to being simultaneously struck by geese, though this has also not been confirmed), the Captain landed in the river, rather than a populated area.

Is Sully still married? ›

Sully Sullenberger's Post. 35 years of marriage!

Between 1969 and 1973, Sullenberger attended the Academy and was a member of Cadet Squadron 18 and a glider and airplane instructor pilot. In his senior year, he received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award, and thus began a long and distinguished career in aviation.

Sullenberger served in the Air Force from 1973 to 1980 and flew F-4 Phantom II fighter planes. The Air Force said he was a flight leader in Europe and the Pacific and led war-game exercises over Nevada. He became a commercial pilot in 1980 for an airline later bought by US Airways.

Passengers also reported offers of $10,000 each in return for agreeing not to sue US Airways. Many passengers and rescuers later experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms such as sleeplessness, flashbacks, and panic attacks; some began an email support group.

The passengers all got their items returned to them.

Even in a survivable crash, passengers' personal belongings typically get damaged or destroyed. In this case, “they got their luggage back and items would keep trickling in,” says Swaringen.

He then locked arms with the passengers next to him as he heard Captain Sullenberger say, "brace for impact." “From that moment we had about 90 seconds to think about everything in life.

Fifteen years ago, a fully loaded Airbus A320 airliner crash-landed on the Hudson River and no one died. The jet was put on display in Charlotte, North Carolina, for public viewing but was stored in 2020. The "Miracle on the Hudson" plane will be the centerpiece of a new museum named after Captain Sullenberger.

Sullenberger has a long history of service. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, and served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He advanced to become a flight leader and a training officer, attaining the rank of captain.

The story of Flight 1549 resonates globally, symbolizing not just the awe-inspiring actions of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles but also the remarkable team effort that followed. Their decisive actions in safely ditching the plane on the Hudson River saved all 155 people onboard.