Ten years have passed since Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger achieved the impossible, landing a crippled US Airways plane on the Hudson River. The incident, known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” still sends shivers down the spine, especially when listening to the cockpit audio.
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 collided with a flock of geese, knocking out both engines. With his training and experience as a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Sullenberger made the split-second decision to ditch the plane in the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people on board.
The cockpit audio reveals Sullenberger’s calm and composed demeanor, even in the face of extreme danger. “This is Cactus 1549. Hit birds. We’ve lost thrust in both engines. We’re turning back to LaGuardia,” he reports to air traffic control. When asked if he can make it to nearby airports, Sullenberger responds, “We can’t do it. We’re gonna be in the Hudson.”
The recording ends with the air traffic controller calling in emergency services, his voice laced with urgency. “Get me a police department helicopter… right now. We had a cactus Airbus go down in the water.”
Sullenberger, now 67, has become a hero and a household name. Though initially hesitant to accept the label, he has come to understand the impact of his actions. He remains in touch with many of the passengers he saved and reflects on the incident with humility, acknowledging that it was a team effort that saved every life.
