Sully Sullenberger

C.B. Sullenberger, U.S. Representative (cropped)

Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III (born January 23, 1951) is a retired American airline pilot who gained fame on January 15, 2009, when he successfully ditched US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River off Manhattan after both engines were disabled by a bird strike; all 155 people aboard survived. Sullenberger is a former fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and served as an Airline Safety consultant before retiring from aviation.

Early Life and Education

Sullenberger was born in Denison, Texas, and grew up with an interest in flying. He entered the United States Air Force Academy in 1969, graduating as an officer in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also holds a Master's degree in Industrial Psychology from Purdue University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.

Career

Military Service

After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Sullenberger served as a fighter pilot for the United States Air Force. He flew the F-4 Phantom II during his military service, eventually becoming an instructor pilot and flight leader.

Commercial Aviation

Sullenberger joined Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) in 1980, which later became part of US Airways. Over his career, he accumulated more than 20,000 flight hours and earned a reputation for his commitment to safety and his advocacy for more stringent safety protocols in aviation.

Flight 1549

On January 15, 2009, while piloting US Airways Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, Sullenberger and his co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles faced a critical emergency when a flock of geese struck the aircraft, causing both engines to fail. Demonstrating remarkable composure and skill, Sullenberger decided to ditch the aircraft in the Hudson River. The successful water landing with no loss of life led to widespread media attention, public acclaim, and several awards and honors for Sullenberger.

Post-Flight 1549

Following the incident, Sullenberger became a public speaker, author, and advocate for aviation safety. He testified before Congress on airline safety and contributed to discussions on aviation practices. Sullenberger has written two books: Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters and Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America's Leaders.

Personal Life

Sullenberger lives with his family in Danville, California. He is married to Lorrie Sullenberger and has two adopted daughters.

Legacy

Sullenberger's actions on Flight 1549 have been widely regarded as heroic. He has received numerous accolades, including the Master's Medal of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators. His story was adapted into the 2016 film Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks as Sullenberger.