The 'Hudson Hero' Turns 75 - Spectacular Emergency Landing - 'Miracle on the Hudson' hero Sully reunites with Flight 1549 survivors on his 75th birthday
Fifteen years after the 'Miracle on the Hudson', Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger has reunited with passengers and crew from Flight 1549 in New York. The event marks another milestone for the pilot, who turns 75 today. His heroic actions on that freezing January day in 2009 saved every life on board.
On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a bird strike disabled both engines. All 155 passengers and crew survived with only minor injuries. The former military pilot, with 40 years of flying experience, was the last to leave the sinking aircraft, ensuring no one was left behind.
After the incident, Sullenberger wrote an autobiography, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, later adapted into the Clint Eastwood film Sully. He retired in 2010 but remained active in aviation safety, criticising regulatory risks. In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated him as the U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Sullenberger has repeatedly spoken about the incident’s broader impact. He believes the story gave people hope during difficult times. Even last year, he publicly opposed Donald Trump’s FAA nominee, warning that weakened safety rules could endanger passengers.
The reunion in New York brings together those who lived through the emergency landing. Sullenberger’s legacy extends beyond that day—from advocacy work to his diplomatic role. His actions on Flight 1549 remain a defining moment in aviation history.
