Captain “Sully”, Hudson River emergency landing pilot retires
March 4th, 2010 - 1:23 am ICT by BNO NewsTEMPE, ARIZONA (BNO NEWS) — US Airways says Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who safely landed his plane on the Hudson River in January 2009 and was internationally hailed as a hero, has retired.
Captain “Sully” was piloting Flight 1549 in January 2009 when the aircraft suffered a bird strike (a plane hitting a flock of birds). The plane was not flying very high, and quick decisions and precise maneuvering were essential for all 150 passengers, including one baby, to survive an emergency landing on water.
The captain stayed calm and landed the plane smoothly over the Hudson River, avoiding the car-filled streets of New York City.
For 150 passengers, their family members, and many more, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberg is a true hero.
Sullenberger, 59, joined US Airways (PSA Airlines) in 1980, becoming a member of US Airways’ flight operations safety management team in September 2009.
Accompanying Sullenberg throughout the complete episode was Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh, who also announced her retirement. Welsh, also 59, joined US Airways (Allegheny Airlines) in 1970, having 39 years of experience with the airline.
“I am extremely proud of Captain Sullenberger and Doreen for their quick thinking and courageous actions on January 15, 2009. They exemplify the professionalism and training US Airways’ more than 10,000 pilots and flight attendants demonstrate thousands of times every day across our airline,” US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said. “We will miss them and thank them for all they have given to our customers during their years of service with our airline,” he added.
- Sully Speaks on 'Miracle on the Hudson's' Second Anniversary - Jan 15, 2011
- Passengers praise pilot for landing Delta flight in New York safely - Sep 27, 2010
- Captain Sully Lands Movie Deal "Miracle on the Hudson" - Oct 04, 2010
- Hudson crash landing hero Sullenberger retires - Mar 04, 2010
- Captain Sully Movie deal Finalized - Oct 04, 2010
- Hudson hero Sully set to return to friendly skies - Sep 11, 2009
- Captain Sully Movie Will Revive "Miracle on the Hudson" - Oct 04, 2010
- Hero pilot "Sully" Sullenberger to fly again for U.S. Airways - Sep 29, 2009
- Brace For Impact: A Hero's Story - Jan 11, 2010
- Captain Sully talks about the miracle of the Hudson on its second anniversary - Jan 15, 2011
- Delta Airlines Pilot Makes Emergency One Wheeled Landing at JFK - Sep 28, 2010
- Hudson hero Sully to be part of US Airways' safety management team - Sep 29, 2009
- US pilot Chesley Sullenbergers bravery inspires Hudson Hero game - Jan 31, 2009
- US Airways pilot Chesley Sullenberger III hailed as hero on Facebook - Jan 17, 2009
- Hudson hero Sully to share his 'pricey' Flight 1549 story - Mar 27, 2009
Tags: allegheny airlines, bird strike, bno, chesley, courageous actions, doug parker, emergency landing, flight attendant, flight attendants, flight operations, flock of birds, hudson river, psa airlines, safety management, streets of new york, streets of new york city, sully, true hero, us airways, us airways flight