Flight 1549: A Routine Takeoff Turns Ugly

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

(CBS)  Ninety seconds before hitting the water, Captain Sullenberger made an announcement to the passengers and crew. Three simple words: "brace for impact."

"I made the brace for impact announcement in the cabin and immediately, through the hardened cockpit door, I heard the flight attendants begin shouting their commands in response to my command to brace. 'Heads down. Stay down.' I could hear them clearly. They were chanting it in unison over and over again to the passengers, to warn them and instruct them. And I felt very comforted by that. I knew immediately that they were on the same page. That if I could land the airplane, that they could get them out safely," he remembered.

"But there was still a big if," Couric pointed out.

"I was sure I could do it," he replied.

There couldn’t have been a better man for the job: a former Air Force fighter pilot who spent nearly 30 years flying commercial aircraft, specialized in accident investigations, and instructed flight crews on how to respond to emergencies in the air.

"I think, in many ways, as it turned out, my entire life up to that moment had been a preparation to handle that particular moment," he said.

That moment was captured by security cameras at 3:30 p.m. on January 15, as flight 1549 approached the water line and then landed in the river.

"Hitting the water is hard," Sullenberger said. "It was a hard landing. And then we scooted along the surface for some point. And then at some point the nose finally did come down as the speed decreased. And then we turned slightly to the left and stopped."

"When you landed, you and the first officer looked at each other," Couric said.

"And we said, 'Well, that wasn't as bad as I thought.' And then we quickly began doing our duties. He was running the evacuation check list while I opened the door and commanded evacuate," Sullenberger recalled.

"Did you give yourself even a few seconds though to acknowledge that you had averted disaster?" Couric asked.

"No, because I hadn't quite yet," he replied. "And I had business to attend to. I had a job to do."

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Read how the entire crew pulled of a dramatic and very successful evacuation, saving all 155 souls on board.

[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!