The “Miracle on the Hudson,” which remains one of the most memorable moments in New York City history more than a decade later, was an improvised maneuver by a quick-thinking pilot.
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger said he “didn't specifically train for” the plane to land in the water, but on January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 successfully glided over the Hudson River. 155 people were saved.
“The only training we had in preparation for the splashdown was classroom discussion,” Sullenberger said in an interview with the American Veterans Center. This interview was shared with Fox News Digital.
“Perhaps the best way to explain it is that for 42 years before I got on this plane, I had a small fixed deposit in the bank for my education, training and experience,” he said. “On January 15, 2009, I had enough balance to suddenly make a large withdrawal.”
15 years after the “amazing'' aviation drama “Miracle on the Hudson,'' the hero pilot still commands the attention of pilots.
Rescue workers in a boat rescue a US Airways plane from floating in the water after it crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on the afternoon of January 15, 2009. Airbus Flight 320 Flight 1549 crashed shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport bound for Charlotte, North Carolina. (Tama Mario/Getty Images)
The plane crashed into a flock of geese minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, losing power to both engines.
Sullenberger, an Air Force veteran, and co-pilot Jeff Skiles immediately called for a mayday as the plane rapidly lost altitude at a rate of two stories per second.
'Miracle on the Hudson' Survivors talk about the impact the crash had on their lives
“I think he said he was going to land in the Hudson River,” the transmission voice said.
Flight 1549 glided down the Hudson River, making a splash. The videos and images of passengers standing on the wings are still as memorable today as they were during the evening rush hour commute 15 years ago.
Watch: Captain “Sally” talks about January. 15, 2009
Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger was a seasoned Air Force veteran before becoming a national hero for landing a plane that crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on January 15, 2009. . (American Veterans Center)
Three waterway ferries were the first to arrive on the scene and evacuated passengers from the seaplane within minutes.
A quick response from the FDNY and NYPD followed.
On this day in history, January 15, 2009, a US Airways plane miraculously landed on the Hudson River.
“Right away, it seemed like all of New York and New Jersey was rushing into the middle of the Hudson River,” said George Clooney, who narrated the American Veterans Center's six-and-a-half-minute video summary.
The American Veterans Center posted a memorial tweet saying, “It was a moment that gave hope to the American people and captivated the nation.''
All 155 people on board US Airways Flight 1549 were standing on the wing of the plane as Captain “Sully” landed safely in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. (American Veterans Center)
“Sally” became an American folk hero after an incredible scene, especially considering the surrounding events.
The low-flying plane heading into Manhattan gave many people flashbacks of 9/11.
Add to that the housing crisis, the recession, and the ongoing war on terror, as former NBC broadcaster Katie Couric pointed out at an event held last week at the Paley Center for Media in midtown Manhattan. There was also internal division.
The Paley Media Center in New York City hosted a panel discussion on January 11, 2024, detailing the “Miracle on the Hudson” of January 15, 2009. Captain “Sully” Sullenberger abandoned his plane in the Hudson River after a US Airways flight. 1549 lost power on both engines. All 155 people on board survived. (Kelly J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
As broadcasters and viewers scrambled for answers, one correspondent described the scene as “like a photograph searching for a story,” Couric said.
“We have video of a plane flying over the Hudson River,” Couric said. “And we're thinking, 'What the hell is going on?' We thought, 'Is this a movie being made or is it a disaster movie?' we couldn't figure it out. ”
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Since then, Mr. Sullenberger and Mr. Skiles have worked together to improve the airline industry. This includes improvements to airline safety and a new law requiring a pilot to have 1,500 hours of flying experience before he can fly for a commercial airline.
