Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, renowned for his emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009, has announced his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. On Tuesday, he shared via social media that he is in the early stage of the illness, which sometimes affects his memory and sleep. His statement was first reported by People magazine.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder leading to memory issues and cognitive decline. It is the most common cause of dementia and currently has no cure.
Sullenberger gained national acclaim for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. Both engines had failed shortly after taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport due to a bird strike. Sullenberger and his crew executed an emergency water landing in less than four minutes on the Hudson River, as landing at an airport wasn’t feasible. All 155 passengers and crew members were evacuated safely and rescued by first responders. This incident became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” and was depicted in the 2016 film “Sully.”
Following his heroic actions, Sullenberger worked as an aviation safety advocate and on-air expert for CBS News.
Since his diagnosis, Sullenberger has learned more about Alzheimer’s prevalence. The Alzheimer’s Association reports over 7 million Americans are living with the disease. Sullenberger aims to encourage others with Alzheimer’s to share their stories. “Courage can be contagious,” he remarked about the successful outcome of Flight 1549. “Now we need that courage to battle this disease.” He expressed a sense of unity with others facing similar challenges, emphasizing collective courage.