Flight 1549: A Routine Takeoff Turns Ugly

Captain Sullenberger Recalls The Bird Strike And The Tense And Crucial Minutes That Followed

(CBS)  This story was first published on Feb. 8, 2009. It was updated on July 4, 2009.

When US Airways flight 1549 landed in New York's Hudson River on Jan. 15, what seemed destined to be a tragedy became an extraordinary tale of success and survival. By the time all 155 people were pulled from the icy waters by a flotilla of rescue boats, a story began to emerge of a highly trained pro with a cool demeanor who had deftly guided his doomed aircraft to safety.

In an instant, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger found himself at the heart of an uplifting news story people all over the world wanted to celebrate.

In February, just two weeks later, Capt. Sullenberger gave Katie Couric and 60 Minutes his first account of the harrowing five minutes in the sky over New York City.

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"It was the worst sickening pit of your stomach, falling through the floor feeling I've ever felt in my life. I knew immediately it was very bad," Sullenberger told correspondent Katie Couric.

"Did you think, 'How are we gonna get ourselves out of this?'" Couric asked.

"No. My initial reaction was one of disbelief. 'I can't belief this is happening. This doesn't happen to me,'" he remembered.

Asked what he meant by that, Sullenberger said, "I meant that I had this expectation that my career would be one in which I didn't crash an airplane."

First responders in New York City expected the worst - an Airbus A320 with 155 people down in the middle of the frigid Hudson River. Only five minutes earlier, Captain Sullenberger had taken off from LaGuardia Airport on a routine flight bound for Charlotte, N.C.

"Well, it was a normal climb out in every regard. And about 90 seconds after takeoff, I notice there were birds, filling the entire windscreen, from top to bottom, left to right, large birds, close, too close to avoid," Sullenberger recalled.

Asked when he realized there had been a bird strike, he said, "Oh, you could hear them, as soon as they did. Loud thumps. It felt like the airplane being pelted by heavy rain or hail. It sounded like the worst thunderstorm I'd ever heard growing up in Texas. It was shocking. "

"When did you realize that these birds had seriously damaged the aircraft?" Couric asked.

"When I felt, heard and smelled the evidence of them going into the engines. I heard the noises. I felt the engine vibrations, of the damage being done to the engines. And I smelled what I described at the time, and I still would as a burned bird smell being brought from the engine area into the conditioning system of the airplane," he said.

He said he realized right away that the engines were failing. "It was obvious to me from the moment that we lost the thrust that this was a critical situation. Losing thrust on both engines, at a low speed, at a low altitude, over one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. Yes, I knew it was a very challenging situation."

The plane, Sullenberger explained, lost forward momentum almost completely. "The airplane stopped climbing and going forward, and began to rapidly slow down. That's when I knew I had to take control of the airplane."

"I put my hand on the side stick and I said, the protocol for the transfer of control, 'my aircraft,' and the first officer Jeff immediately answered, 'Your aircraft,'" Sullenberger remembered.

With no engine power, Sullenberger had to glide the jet. "You use the forward momentum to provide the air flow over the wings to provide the sufficient lift."

Asked what was going through his head, Sullenberger told Couric, "I knew immediately that this, unlike every other flight I'd had for 42 years, was probably not going to end with the airplane undamaged on the runway."

Bird Strike:

[moreyel]

When CBS contracted to interview a true American hero, they should have known by then that he is a very intelligent, well spoken, thoughtful person. To have someone as empty headed as Couric interviewing him was shameful. Yes, she tried to get him to say there was panic in the isles and blood was flowing, but he wouldnt acquiesce. It could have been so much better with an interviewer that realized Sully's intelligence and asked more intelligent and thought provoking questions. I'm not sure what hold Ms Couric has over CBS, such as a high powered relative in the business or similar, but she is a disgrace. It wasnt hard to see Capt. Sullenberger was somewhat taken aback by her questions, but in true form, he answered politely and as thoroughly as he could, given the emptiness of the questions.

[Randers4]

I am so very very upset, why have you let that Stale Drug Bill Couric insult those "Real Heros" for over 30 minutes, no wonder I'm out of work, I could never put on a show so stale, we have ALL heard ALL of it before, that Captain & his staff deserve all they can get but they don't deserve the insults of Couric, the only reason I watch CBS as it is, is because my real dad is Bob Simons?/Pat Sjakak, me & Susie Richards only know him as Everette Francis Richards, then there is the guy that helped raised me like an Uncle, your Steve that is doing his Son's interview, Jon Bon Jovi........who used to be......??!! & is still.........??!! My Dad would never ever let me act like Katie Couric & I'm feeling really cheated, neither would Warren Kolen.

[mikeinak26]

I am so tired of seeing this guy pat his own back. This guy did what he was trained to do. Stay calm and focused. One or two interviews would have been enough but this guy loves the spotlight. He's not a professional anymore. He wants a career on TV. Sad.

[KahunaHawaii]

Katie has to go.. she is not attractive and not bright.. who writes her questions anyway..
let the man tell his story and stop interrupting the track of energy with your wide eyed
little girl look, yukkk.

[HannibalHayes]

Katie Couric is without a doubt the worst interviewer I have ever heard. Watching the captains face when he was asked one dumb question after another by this "journalist" is laughable, no wonder network news ratings are down, hope her contract ends soon and CBS can replace her with some one with at least some interviewing skills

[goodsamarata]

For crying out loud what''s the deal with this hate crowd going after Couric???
I thought the interview went on smoothly, even if it was edited that way, it went well covering every aspect of the Hudson adventure.
If we''re going to start to ditch on someone like Couric then let''s go after all of them.
I don''t think there''s a single interviewer out there that''s worth one tenth of what they''re getting paid with the excpetion of Bill Moyers and Charlie Rose.
Everyone else want to play it safe and keep it all superficial and family friendly, not just Couric.
It''s some kind of contagious disease that has pestered the US MSM for decades.

I cringed during Couric''s entire interview with Captain Sullenberger and the crew. I had a good laugh when she positioned her glasses on the end of her nose while talking to the crew. Was this just a pathetic attempt to appear studious and interested? CBS are definitely not getting their money''s worth from this "reporter".

[richardj390]

Katie Couric is awful. Just awful. The geese that hit that plane had more sense than Katie has. It must have pained this pilot to have to sit in the same room with someone as stupid and asinine as Couric.

[happygrandm1]

While I greatly appreciated "Captain Sully''s" answers, I think Katie''s questions were asnine and stupid. One of the comments here is that she was "sensitive!" Perhaps, but she should have just let him relay the information as he saw fit. The look in his eyes told me he was "suffering fools" patiently, still in a degree of shock, and wished it was over. He is a true American hero at a time when we need one, but I hope he can soon return to the peace and quiet of his home and family very soon.

[closethippy1]

Ever since I heard about this story I''ve been fantasizing about how, like, I''d be on that 1549 flight and all of a sudden the pilot and co-pilot faint after the birds hit the plane''s engine and disable them and the flight attendants look all panicky. I get up to check out what''s going on and I realize I have to take control of the plane and get that Sully guy out of his seat and radio for help.
And then they tell me what to do and I''d be, like, "No La Guardia or Jersey for me, mister. I''ll only be able to go glide this thing on the Hudson."
And then they''ll give me an idea of what to do and I land the plane on the Hudson safely.
But I''d never appear on Larry King, that guy is boring!

[mehil]

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[varivakat]

I agree with "scotts917, the story of flight 1549 and its survival is a truely amazing one, along with the professionalism, bravery and the quick responce of Captian, Crew, Passengers and Rescue Responders.

Although the topic of the interview was of great interest to me, the questions being asked were lousy and at times they were almost laughable due to their sheer stupidity. I have seen better interviews on PBS, done by kids. I feel Couric did an injustice to this story with the way she conducted her her interview.

Tonight, the Captain and Crew, from flight 1549, were on the David Letterman Show and I was very pleased with what I heard. Letterman had truly done some research and his interview displayed more professional qualities than the interview Couric had done. This is quite sad, considering her position at CBS.

[mcwinchell]

I would only want you as my pilot when I fly!!!! You Rock!!!!!!!!!!!

[wallacesw1]

Those birds are all cute and cudley, but don''t be fooled, they are friends with the terrorists. All birds must be tortured and interrogated to help us determine where they train for their suicidal missions. We must limit their bread supply at local parks, burn down all bird feeders in the back yards, and take down all power lines so they can''t sit there and think about their missions to terrorize Americans. If they are not pooping on our cars, they are taking down our airplanes - ***!

[ngozi3]

sunbern52, You are such a saddist. Are you jealous of Katie Curric or what? If you could be so negative in the face of such joyous occassion, then I wonder what you would do in the face of horror like 911? May God have mercy on you.

[ngozi3]

Capt. Sully needs to be our President. America needs a man like him. He is so pure in his thinking and there is no word to describe the uniqueness of this man and his crew. What a man of honor! He is simply amazing. May God bless you and your crew and your entire families. You are just a God sent to the world.

[mags544]

If Time Magazine had any sense at all they would publish their "Man of The Year" issue immediately, declaring Sully Man of The Year. Think outside of the box Time, publish this issue now!! Mark LaMonica, North Brunswick NJ.

[mags544]

If Time Magazine had any sense at all they would publish their "Man of The Year" issue immediately, declaring Sully Man of The Year. Think outside of the box Time, publish this issue now!! Mark LaMonica, North Brunswick NJ.

[bubbley54]

Amen! Thanks to the Lord for saving every single person on that flight, and may they be blessed not just in their physical recovery but in their lives from this moment on. God is good, gracious and merciful, I thank Him for spared life and reuniting the passengers with their loved ones.

[sailstar]

Thank you for the reporting of the potential tragedy of Flight 1549. Certainly Capt. Sullenberger is a hero, along with the efforts of his flight crew. But, I am dismayed by the fact that you folks focused on the sensationalism of the event and completely missed the other hero%u2019s involved. Capt. Sullenberger was still in his state of consummate duty orientation as the other hero%u2019s took over.
In your interview there was but one comment by Capt. %u201CSully%u201D that thanked the first responders and was quickly passed over by Katie then never looked into again. Who were these first responders? They were not the NYPD or the NYFD but rather the USCG Licensed Captains and crews of the Ferry Boats. They were at the emergency immediately in a state of rescue!
These people, who did save the lives of people in the water and on the wings of the plane, as Capt. "Sully" and the video so affirmed, yet nothing was said about them. To Capt. %u201CSully", these folks are hero%u2019s that deserve respect and honor. They saved lives, yet they were doing as he, what they were trained for, they were doing their jobs.
Look beyond the sensationalism of what the pilot did but also look to what the boat captains did also. Their was more than 1 hero that day.

Captain Tim Paegelow