Sully to Tower -- "We're Goin' in the Hudson"

Officials have finally released the dramatic audio recording of the moment Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger called in a double bird strike and warned air traffic control that Flight 1549 "might end up in the Hudson."

Flight 1549 audio: Click to watch
It's amazing how cool and calm everybody acted in the situation, however there was one moment of confusion -- during the brief communication, neither the pilot nor the traffic controllers identify the correct number of the flight -- 1549.

Sully calls it "1539" and the traffic controllers call it "Flight 1529" -- didn't matter in the end though, they still pulled off a "miracle."


Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. I have more angst in my voice ordering a Happy Meal.

Sulley=True American Hero

Posted at 4:18PM on Feb 5th 2009 by gutsygirl

17. THIS WAS NOT A MIRACLE OR A BLESSING!!! God had nothing to do with building or landing that plane. It was many people staying calm, actually listening and using years of training to overcome a crisis situation.

Posted at 6:18PM on Feb 5th 2009 by Orthodox Atheist

18. I don't think the air controller realized he was going into the Hudson River because the air controller he would have flipped out. It would've been you're landing where? did he just say the Hudson as in the Hudson River. holly cow!

Posted at 9:15PM on Feb 5th 2009 by tee

19. wowo AMAZING... he keep it so calm and gosh his voice is sexy

Posted at 10:49PM on Feb 5th 2009 by Shell

20. I was on a plane from orlando to hartford about 7 years ago and we lost the left engine (explosion, smoke, etc) and we banked so sharply to return to the airport (only in the air about 10 minutes) that we thought we were starting a death spiral. People screaming, praying, etc - VERY scary. Landed in Orlando, about 50 emergency trucks lining the runway. Landed okay, the Captain came back and he was right out of Central Casting - about 6'4", square jaw and gave full credit to the copilot. Wrote a letter to Delta praising the pilot and crew, never heard a reply.
PS Only about half or less of the passengers got on the replacement plane.

Posted at 11:49PM on Feb 5th 2009 by RickJ

21. Capt. Sully Flys glider planes in the Bay area... Im sure that helped in the smooth landing. Cool Hand Luke, pick us up in the Hudson.

Posted at 3:04AM on Feb 6th 2009 by Ranae

22. Amazing! I want him as the pilot on all of my flights!

Posted at 1:58PM on Feb 6th 2009 by Jessica

23. I am so impressed by the calm and professionalism of the pilot and ground crew. I don't enjoy flying AT ALL - even though I do it a lot -- but knowing there are pilots like Capt. Sulley out there is reassuring. Kudos to a REAL hero and rolemodel!

Posted at 4:03PM on Feb 6th 2009 by afraid of flying

24. HERO!!!

Posted at 9:37PM on Apr 15th 2009 by Vikula

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