Chesley Sullenberger
Chesley Sullenberger is best known for his heroic landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, saving all passengers and crew.
Aviator
January 23, 1951
Aquarius
74
Denison, Texas, United States
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is a retired American airline captain and pilot who gained global recognition for his heroic act of safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009. This emergency landing, necessitated by a bird strike that disabled both engines, saved the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members on board. Sullenberger’s story inspired the film “Sully,” directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks. Apart from his aviation career, Sullenberger has written two books, “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” and “Making a Difference: Stories of Vision and Courage from America’s Leaders.” He has also worked as an aviation safety expert for CBS News and received numerous awards, including the French Legion of Honor.