Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, the pilot who safely landed a US Airways flight in New York City’s Hudson River in 2009, has been inducted into the US National Aviation Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place in Washington DC on Thursday, 17 years after the event known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
Sullenberger, 75, joined the six-member 2026 hall of fame class, which includes Nasa astronauts and aviation researchers. He participated remotely by video, stating, “I want to congratulate the other [inductees] on lifetimes of accomplishments. And I thank you for the honor of enshrinement in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.”
His actions in 2009, which saved 155 people aboard US Airways Flight 1549 after it struck a flock of birds and lost engine thrust, were a major factor in his enshrinement. Sullenberger also noted that his career involved more than just that single flight.
Two months prior to the induction, Sullenberger disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He shared his hope that by speaking up, other families living with the disease might feel able to step forward.