Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III
Name	Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III
Birth date	1951-01-23
Birth place	Denison, Texas
Occupation	Pilot, safety consultant, author
Known for	US Airways Flight 1549 emergency landing on the Hudson River

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III is an American former airline pilot, safety advocate, author, and diplomat known for his emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009. He gained international attention for the survival of all 155 people aboard, subsequent investigations, and his role in promoting aviation safety, human factors in transportation, and public service. Sullenberger has been profiled by major media and received numerous civilian honors and appointments following the incident.

Early life and education

Sullenberger was born in Denison, Texas and raised partly in Granbury, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he attended public schools and developed an early interest in aviation inspired by family influences and visits to air shows such as the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. He studied at Stanford University before transferring to and graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in aeronautical engineering and later completed graduate coursework at California State University, Northridge. Commissioned into the United States Air Force, he trained at Vance Air Force Base and served with units that included operational assignments at Nellis Air Force Base and deployments flying fighters and reconnaissance aircraft.

Aviation career

After active duty with the United States Air Force and service in roles involving air superiority and training, Sullenberger transitioned to civilian aviation and joined US Airways (formerly USAir), accumulating thousands of flight hours on aircraft including the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737. During his career he was involved with professional organizations such as the Air Line Pilots Association and participated in safety programs influenced by frameworks like Crew Resource Management and Human Factors research from institutions like NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration. He also flew as an operations inspector and check airman, contributing to operational procedures and training curricula used by commercial carriers and regulatory bodies.

US Airways Flight 1549 and the Hudson landing

On January 15, 2009, while operating US Airways Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Sullenberger and his crew encountered dual engine failure after a flock of Canada goose struck both engines shortly after takeoff. Facing loss of thrust over the George Washington Bridge and urban areas of New York City, Sullenberger executed a controlled ditching on the Hudson River near Manhattan, coordinating with air traffic controllers at LaGuardia Tower and New York TRACON and directing evacuation procedures. The incident prompted immediate responses from nearby vessels including the US Coast Guard and New York Waterway ferries; all 155 passengers and crew survived with varying injuries. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board examined birdstrike risk, engine certification, and flightcrew decision-making, and the event entered public discourse alongside analyses by media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC News, and CNN.

Public recognition and honors

Following the Hudson landing, Sullenberger received awards and honors from institutions including the Presidential Citizens Medal and commendations from the City of New York and State of New York. He was honored by aviation bodies such as the Air Line Pilots Association and the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, and he appeared on programs like 60 Minutes and testifying before committees of the United States Congress about aviation safety. His portrayal in popular culture includes the feature film "Sully" directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, as well as segments in documentaries broadcast by PBS and National Geographic. International recognitions included civic honors and invitations to speak at institutions like Harvard Kennedy School, MIT, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and meetings with foreign dignitaries.

Later career, public service, and advocacy

After retiring from active line flying, Sullenberger authored memoirs and works on safety and leadership and established consulting roles advising corporations, airlines, and regulatory bodies on risk management, emergency preparedness, and safety culture. He served as a fellow and lecturer at academic and policy institutions including Princeton University and the Aspen Institute and participated in conferences hosted by ICAO and the International Air Transport Association. In 2021 he was appointed by President Joe Biden as the United States Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, engaging with member states and regulatory frameworks to promote global aviation standards and environmental initiatives such as sustainable aviation fuels discussed at COP conferences. He has testified before legislative bodies and collaborated with organizations addressing birdstrike mitigation, airport wildlife management, and crew training reforms.

Personal life and legacy

Sullenberger has been married and is a father, and he resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. His legacy is reflected in revisions to airline training protocols, increased attention to birdstrike risk at airports like LaGuardia, and broader public interest in human performance under pressure as studied by scholars at institutions like Columbia Business School and Yale School of Management. His actions on Flight 1549 remain a case study in publications and curricula used by airlines, universities, and emergency response organizations, and his life has inspired portrayals in literature and film, commemorative exhibits at museums such as the Smithsonian Institution, and ongoing discussion in journals including Aviation Week & Space Technology and Journal of Air Transport Management.

Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:American aviators Category:United States Air Force officers Category:Airline pilots