Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a disabled airliner on New York’s Hudson River in 2009 and saved the lives of all 155 people on board, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The 75-year-old announced on his personal website that the disease is in its early stages. Sullenberger said he has recently found it harder to remember names, occasionally forgets stories he has already told, and has experienced changes in his sleep, adding that he is only at the beginning of a long journey.
On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was commanding US Airways Flight 1549 when the Airbus A320 struck a flock of geese shortly after departing New York LaGuardia Airport. After both engines lost power, Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles successfully ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River.
The event became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” with all 155 passengers and crew surviving. Sullenberger’s calm decision-making, exceptional airmanship, and the coordinated efforts of the flight crew were widely credited with preventing a major disaster.
A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Sullenberger said his Alzheimer’s diagnosis has challenged his understanding of what it means to continue serving others. He emphasized the importance of speaking openly about the disease and said he intends to face the journey together with others living with Alzheimer’s.
Reflecting on Flight 1549, Sullenberger recalled often saying that “courage can be contagious” and added that the same courage is now needed in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
Sullenberger had nearly 40 years of flying experience at the time of the emergency landing. He retired from commercial aviation in 2010 and has since remained an advocate for aviation safety. His remarkable story was portrayed in the 2016 film Sully, starring Tom Hanks.
