Capt Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, the pilot renowned for safely landing a US Airways flight in New York City’s Hudson River during a 2009 emergency, has been inducted into the US National Aviation Hall of Fame. This honor comes two months after he publicly disclosed his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ceremony Details
Sullenberger, now 75 years old, received this prestigious recognition during a ceremony held in Washington, DC on Thursday. This event marks 17 years since he executed what is famously known as the Miracle on the Hudson, saving more than 150 lives. He was inducted alongside the six-member 2026 hall of fame class, which includes NASA astronauts and aviation researchers.
Sullenberger's Remarks
Participating remotely via video, Sullenberger expressed his gratitude, 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."
He acknowledged that the dramatic events of 2009, which inspired a Tom Hanks movie, significantly contributed to his induction. However, he emphasized:
“"My career was much more than one flight. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to fly airplanes. That was the beginning of a lifetime following that dream. I was so fortunate to spend an entire working lifetime doing something I loved."
