Tag: Chesley Sullenberger

View All Tags

/ / / / /

'Miracle on the Hudson' Plane Finally Makes It Home to Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte

June 13, 2011 at 9:49 AM | by | Comments (0)

It’s been a long journey—including some tight turns in New Jersey and a pretty big surprise landing in New York—but flight Flight 1549 has finally arrived at its scheduled destination of Charlotte, North Carolina.

On Friday afternoon the plane finally pulled into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and was greeted to a water jet shower thanks to the airport trucks on hand to welcome it. The plane has since pulled into a hangar at the Carolinas Aviation Museum—it’s final resting place—and was on hand Saturday evening for an event to welcome it back home. Passengers from the flight—along with everyone’s favorite hero pilot—were there to see the plane from which they so thankfully escaped backed in January 2009.

more ›

/ / / / /

The Miracle on the Hudson Plane is On Its Way to a Permanent Home

June 6, 2011 at 8:34 AM | by | Comments (0)

Flight 1549—aka The Miracle on the Hudson—is now on its way to a more permanent home in Charlotte, but getting there is proving to be quite a challenge. That’s because this time it’s taking the highway, and there are definitely a few bridges and byways not designed with an Airbus A320 in mind.

Like all good road trips along the East Coast, those involved with moving the plane decided to get a head start over the weekend and changed the original departure date of today up to Saturday. It’s unfortunately not just a straight shot down I-95, as the trailer that’s carrying the plane—it was custom designed for its unique load—is trying to navigate smaller streets and tight turns.

more ›

/ / / / / /

It's the Two-Year Anniversary of the 'Miracle on the Hudson'

January 14, 2011 at 3:28 PM | by | Comments (0)

Technically tomorrow is the exact anniversary, but tonight's a Friday night and we're looking for an excuse to toast a shot of Grey Goose.

Do you remember where you were when US Airways Flight 1549 from New York-LaGuardia to Charlotte only made it as far as the Hudson River, ditching into the water after bird strikes took out both engines? We do—we were working, but then threw on our boots and walked about a mile in the 10-degree air and slush to get as close to it as possible, just to see the Airbus A320 still floating and being slowly tugged over to the side of the river.

All 155 passengers and crew survived, with only 5 bad injuries despite the fact that they glided on no power, then freaking landed in a freezing river. Last year on the anniversary, they all came back to the city and took a boat out to the spot where they faced one of the most harrowing moments of their lives. There they enjoyed a little party, celebrating the fact that they were alive, thanks to the actions of their calm and quick-thinking pilot Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger. Since there's no such shindig this year, let's look back on what's happened since that historic day:

more ›

/ / / / / / /

Sully Sullenberger's 'Miracle on the Hudson' Plane to Finally Rest In Peace?

January 4, 2011 at 10:41 AM | by | Comments (0)

Believe it or not, January 15th marks the two-year anniversary since US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger successfully water-landed his Airbus A320 on New York's Hudson River after a bird strike took down both of the plane's engines. All 155 crew and passengers onboard survived and thus Flight 1549 became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson." Sully retired almost a year ago, but the battered fuselage hasn't yet reached such a peaceful conclusion; it's been up for auction (mainly for parts) since last January, and it may finally have found a buyer.

According to Gothamist, this piece of aviation history could end up in a place where all are welcome to come and see it:

more ›

/ / / / / / / /

'The Miracle on the Hudson' is Now a Highlight of NYC Harbor Tours

November 10, 2010 at 11:35 AM | by | Comments (0)

This upcoming January 2011, it'll be a whole two years since US Airways Flight 1549 suffered a bird strike just after leaving LaGuardia Airport, which shut down all its engines and forced the plane to land in the Hudson River, with no fatalities. Now better known as "The Miracle on the Hudson," Flight 1549 got the attention of the world, a book deal for its pilot "Sully" Sullenberger, and a vodka party for all the passengers on its first anniversary. But that's not all!

While walking down 6th Avenue in Manhattan the other day, we did a double-take when a NY Waterways bus drove by, and we spotted an advertisement on its side for the "Miracle on the Hudson." What are they selling? Are they actually trying to make some money off this accident? You see, the NY Waterways ferries were the first responders on the scene when the plane dropped in the drink, as they were making their usual rounds Hudson River trips between New Jersey and Manhattan. So now, apparently, the ferry company is trying to take their hero role to the bank.

more ›

/ / / / / / /

So Long, Sully! 'Miracle on the Hudson' Pilot Retires Today

March 3, 2010 at 12:05 PM | by | Comments (2)

Today marks the end of a great career in aviation as US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger retires. Granted, the man who is an expert on aviation safety and also a glider pilot wasn't known to the public until he was lauded as a hero after safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River with no loss of life after bird strikes took out both of the plane's engines.

After that event (which occurred over a year ago, in January 2009), Sully did the talk show circuit, wrote a book, gave speeches, testified to aviation officials, and even returned to the controls as a regular US Airways pilot in October 2009. But now, the 59-year-old Sullenberger, who's been working for US Airways since 1980, is getting out while the getting is good. Also retiring is the 59-year-old flight attendant onboard the Miracle of the Hudson; she has been with US Airways since 1970. She may not have a book out to ride the sales of, but she deserves it just as much as Sully.

We're sort of sad that US Airways is losing a knowledgeable pilot like Sully, but good luck to them both!

Related Stories:
· Captain Sully Retiring From US Airways [Today in the Sky]
· Flight 1549 coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ingridtaylar]

/ / / / / / /

US Airways' 'Miracle on the Hudson' Airbus is For Sale!

January 22, 2010 at 4:05 PM | by | Comments (0)

Anybody looking to develop a new roadside attraction? Have we got the deal for you! The now-infamous Airbus 320 of US Airways Flight 1549—which performed a flawless emergency water landing after a bid strike took out its engines—is up for auction.

WIRED and Gothamist fill us in on the details of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:

more ›

/ / / / / /

Survivors of 'Miracle on the Hudson' Toast the One-Year Anniversary This Friday

January 11, 2010 at 12:34 PM | by | Comments (0)

On Friday, all 155 crew and passengers who were onboard US Airways Flight 1549 a year ago will celebrate still being alive, since that was the plane that safely landed in the Hudson River after a bird strike knocked out all of its engines.

Has it been a year already? We guess so, since Captain Sully has his book out, he's back to flying, the passengers finally got their luggage back (soggy, but still), and the talk shows are over having them on TV as guests. But damnit, they're still going to let their hair down and celebrate the fact that they didn't die in a horrific plane crash a year ago, so they're all heading back to New York City on Friday for a day of ceremonies to commemorate the occasion.

more ›

/ / / / /

Business As Usual At US Airways As Captain Sully Flies Again

Where: LaGuardia Airport [map], New York, NY, United States
October 1, 2009 at 8:42 AM | by | Comments (0)

He got a book deal, he met the president, he got the key to the city and now Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is getting the keys to his airplane back. The hero pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, which landed in the Hudson River after goose strikes knocked out the plane's engines, returns to work today at US Airways and will fly on his old route between LGA and Charlotte.

It's been almost ten whole months since the accident, and US Airways is obviously ready to resume business as usual. Sully will not only fly the same LaGuardia-to-Charlotte route that was Flight 1549, but will do it with the same first officer, Jeffrey Skiles. Now we're all for welcoming Sully back to the skies, especially since he'd be the pilot you'd want to have in control in case anything goes wrong, but piecing together much of the same scene from the accident doesn't make avoiding stress and flashbacks any easier.

more ›

/ / / / /

Turkish Airlines Jet Crashes Outside Schiphol Airport

February 25, 2009 at 8:24 AM | by | Comments (0)

A Turkish Airlines 737 carrying 134 passengers from Istanbul crashed into a field outside Amsterdam Schiphol Airport today.

After initial reports that all of the passengers and the crew survived comes the news that nine people have died in the crash. Twenty people are also reported to be seriously injured. From the NY Times:

Candan Karlitekin, the chairman of Turkish Airlines, said most of the injured were seated at the back of the plane. “There was nothing extraordinary about the weather conditions, vision capability was 4,500 meters. Around 500 meters away from the landing strip, the plane landed in a field. The plane was broken into three parts, as you all saw in pictures.” ”

No one is sure yet as to why the plane crashed with Turkish Airlines saying the pilot was one of their most experienced pilots on staff. Investigations are obviously underway to determine what could have brought the plane down just three miles away from the airport runway.

Further shaking our faith in the aviation industry is Flight 1549 hero Capt. Sully who told U.S. Congress yesterday that the best airline pilots are quitting the commercial aviation industry because their pay and pensions have been slashed. We can't have that so let's pray that 2009 begins to turn around for airlines...quick.

Related Stories:
· 9 Dead as Turkish Plane Crashes in Amsterdam [NY Times]
· Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger Says A Good Pilot's Getting Hard to Find [WNYC]

/ / / /

Capt. Sully Gets Key to His City; Passengers Still Waiting on Luggage

January 26, 2009 at 9:40 AM | by | Comments (0)

It's a Sully party! Flight 1549 captain Chesley S. "Sully" Sullenberger collected a key to his hometown of Danville, California this weekend in a small-town ceremony complete with marching band, color guard and bagpiper.

Sullenberger, who attended the Inauguration this past week on the President's request, is still waiting to tell his story until the National Transportation Safety Board has given him leave. But for his home of 13 years, he made a brief speech, declaring on behalf of his crew that "we were simply doing the jobs we were trained to do." Hopefully he'll have more details when he sits down with Katie Couric on "60 Minutes" next week.

Sullenberger finally made it home, and Flight 1549 passengers might even see their luggage return home this year: The unlucky suitcases have been removed from the plane and taken to a processing facility, where they have been frozen and then will be cleaned and dried. Well, at least passengers will have a really interesting souvenir.

Related Stories:
· Danville honors hero US Airways pilot 'Sully' with small-town celebration [San Jose Mercury-News]
· 'Sully' Receives Hero's Welcome In Hometown [The AeroNews Network]
· Crash Investigators 'Check' Recovered Bags [NY Post]
· Geese Still Not Cleared of Wrongdoing But Ailing Engine Could Be to Blame [Jaunted]
· TK [Jaunted]

[Photo: ingridtaylar]

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy (Revised 08/01/2011). © Condé Nast Digital. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast Digital.
Ad Choices