Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger performed a miracle landing of a United States Airways plane on the Hudson River, which has since been referred to as the “Miracle On The Hudson.” It has been ten years since this spectacular event took place. Despite the fact that it has been 10 years, the audio from Sullenberger’s cockpit is just as terrifying to listen to as it was when it was first recorded.
American Airlines flight 1549 was involved in a collision with a flock of Canadian geese on the afternoon of January 15, 2009, which resulted in the destruction of both of the aircraft’s engines.
When former United States Air Force fighter pilot Sullenberger realized that he would not be able to make it back to LaGuardia Airport, he made the decision to land the plane in the Hudson River. This decision allowed him to preserve the lives of everyone on board the plane.
Even though there were no fatalities as a result of the incident, it is nonetheless unsettling to listen to the audio from the cockpit.
Hello, my name is Cactus 1549. A bird is hit. The thrust in both of our engines has been lost. Sullenberger confidently informs the air traffic controller that they are going to make a U-turn and head back to LaGuardia. He then adds, “We might end up in the Hudson.”
In response, the air traffic controller informs Sullenberger that he is authorized to make an emergency landing at LaGuardia Airport; however, the captain responds that he is “unable” to do so. Following this, the controller informs Sullenberger that the flight is able to land at the neighboring Teeterboro airport in New Jersey; however, Sullenberger answers by saying, “We are unable to do that.” They are going to be in the Hudson River.”
The terrifying recording comes to an end with the words, “Cactus 1549, radar contact has been lost.”
A second tape shows the controller making a call to the emergency services number.
According to what can be heard, he is stating, “Get me a helicopter from the police department right now.” “You are able to get anyone. The Lincoln Tunnel is the destination that you send them to. There was an incident in which a cactus Airbus went down in the water. The river was where he went down, and he was up close to the Intrepid.
Sullenberger, who is now 67 years old, has been acclaimed as a hero ever since the accident, and he has become possibly the most recognized pilot in the world. In the beginning, he struggled to overcome the hero label that was placed on him.
According to what he said in 2016, “I initially resisted the H word.” On the other hand, I have clearly developed an understanding of the fact that people have a need to feel the way they feel about this incident and, by implication, about me.
In the present day, Sullenberger maintains communication with a significant number of the passengers whom he rescued.
When we were together for those few seconds, I never once had any thoughts that were not necessary. I didn’t give myself permission to do that, and I didn’t have any desire to do it either. I never gave any consideration to my family. When asked about his thoughts on the ten-year anniversary, Sullenberger stated, “I never thought about anything other than controlling the flight path and solving each problem in turn until, finally, we had solved them all.” The things that I think about include not only what we did but also what everyone else did. All of the components needed to be brought together. A group of people who did not know each other had to step up to the challenge and make certain that they saved every single life.
Whatever Sullenberger did ten years ago is something that we will never forget! Below, you can find the cockpit call for yourself to listen to.