Captain Sully, pilot in Hudson River landing, reveals Alzheimer’s
What’s new: Chesley Sullenberger said the disease is in its early stage after memory lapses and sleep problems.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, the pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in 2009, has disclosed that he has Alzheimer’s disease. Sullenberger, 75, wrote on his website that he was recently diagnosed and that the illness is at an early stage. He said he can struggle to recall names, may repeat a story and is not sleeping as well. Sullenberger became a national figure after both engines of Flight 1549 failed following a bird strike shortly after takeoff from New York, and all 155 people aboard survived. In his statement, he said the diagnosis had changed what service means to him and that he now wants to speak publicly about the disease.