02/05/2009 2:30 pm

POV

Capt. 'Sully' to Air Traffic Controllers: 'We're Gonna Be in the Hudson' (Audio)

© Getty Images

After a futile search for other landing options, the captain of the U.S. Airways flight that lost both engines after a bird strike last month calmly told air traffic controllers, "We’re gonna be in the Hudson."

CBS News has obtained the audio of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger calmly speaking with the traffic radar control center in Westbury, NY, as U.S. Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency crash landing into the frigid waters. The FAA flight tape was reportedly recorded moments before the plane fell off radar and lost communication.

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21 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

BelindaJoy
This is a man that I would want at the controls of any and every flight I take! :-)
By BelindaJoy on 02/05/2009 3:57 pm
Bonnie Oliver
There was no panic in the sky. Sully sounded like he could confidently land the plan in the Hudson. The air traffic controller kept giving him options, calmly and distinctly, just in case Sully could get to a runway at a New Jersey airfield. There is a grimness in Sully’s voice “we are gonna be in the Hudson” but no panic. It was as if he was not going to worry about the next step ….what to do after the plane was in the river….until the plane was no longer at the mercy of the air currents. Well done, Sully.
By Bonnie Oliver on 02/05/2009 4:13 pm
AgynessO
Had McCain paid closer attention in flight training, he could have “pulled a Sully” and maybe avoided prisoner of war status.
By AgynessO on 02/05/2009 4:41 pm
Bonnie Oliver
agyness - That was uncalled for and a rather nasty remark. Folks who ridicule John McCain’s service to his country which included being a prisoner of war have only a little way to fall before they hit the bottom of the heap. That much anger does no one any good, especially yourself.
By Bonnie Oliver on 02/06/2009 4:22 am
AgynessO
Bonnie, My humble apologies to you and any others as that was not my intent. I certainly admire him and any others who serve our country to the utmost. I read a story recently that McCain wrote saying that during his flight training days he, unfortunately, did not pay close attention and in bail out situations in particular. He mentioned that being young he felt invincible as so many do and made this very point and I was simply thinking of this. I admire Sen McCain very much and even supported him in the 2000 primary when I had moved back to SC for a time. I supported Obama is this election but have NO ill will towards McCain and thought his consession speech after the election was one of the more gracious in history and he has certainly shown our new president that he stands ready to do anything that needs to be done to get our nation back on track. I consider him one of our more patriotic americans and was simply thinking that this could have saved him years of what had been the worst of his life. Again, many opologies and guess I should have been more specific in worrding this comment.
By AgynessO on 02/06/2009 6:58 am
Bonnie Oliver
Thank you agyness. Given some of the cruel remarks made at this website about John and his years as a prisoner of war, I was quick to raise my objection to anymore being made now that the election is passed. However, your explanation was wonderfully written and no apology is needed. However, I do thank you for offering one. Bonnie
By Bonnie Oliver on 02/06/2009 4:29 pm
Susan B
How can we raise more children with Sully’s extraordinary character and grace under fire? He defines a true leader to me. This is far more than self-confidence and moxy, which can so often be grounded in self-delusion. The best leader is someone who can calmly face a bad situation and do what needs to be done without shirking, overreacting, complaining, or blaming others.
By Susan B on 02/05/2009 4:44 pm
TeeZee
Amen Susan…can he be cloned?
By TeeZee on 02/05/2009 5:28 pm
Susan B
I’d be happy if people just started appreciating and demanding this brand of character and intellect in their leaders.
By Susan B on 02/05/2009 5:52 pm
Susan B
I’d be happy if Americans recognized and demanded this brand of character and intellect in their leaders.
By Susan B on 02/05/2009 5:53 pm
Susan B
hiccup!
By Susan B on 02/05/2009 7:00 pm
DeBrcaobj
This just sends chills up my spine! This is the guy you want flying your plane! I hope most of the rest of them have that, calmness under pressure, gene. Some people seem to be at their best under pressure. Recently I read an interview of David Axelrod. In it he compared Barack Obama to Michael Jordan when asked about his personality and how he deals with pressure. Axelrod said he once asked Jordan how it is that he seemed to do his BEST when under pressure on the court. Jordan responded that when he [was] in a very tight spot and under a lot of pressure during a game, that things would become “slow motion” and he would feel calm and be able to make decisions as though he had lots of time. Axelrod said Obama is the same way… that the more the pressure, when everyone else is stressed out and anxious, Obama gets calmer, and seems to stay clear headed and able to make his best decisions. I think this is just the way some people’s brains work. This pilot, Jordan, the President, probably lots of surgeons. It’s probably not something a person can learn. I guess it’s just luck of the draw if you get a pilot with this type of personality when you fly. I’m going to start praying for one each time I book a flight!
By DeBrcaobj on 02/05/2009 5:38 pm
BelindaJoy
So true DeBurca. I think our discussion of that fateful day in New York would be quite different had there been a pilot at the controls who was more agitated than Sully. The lives lost…..just the thought of it….. It seems like it’s just not enough to say “Thank You” to him for what he did and how he did it…..
By BelindaJoy on 02/05/2009 5:49 pm
Susan B
And don’t forget the flight attendants!
By Susan B on 02/05/2009 7:00 pm
NP2
Susan, Just wanted to say Thanks for your supportive “Yep” vote earlier on the “SP” thread! Best,
By NP2 on 02/06/2009 12:13 am
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