Former 'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot Chesley Sullenberger reveals early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Retired captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger announced he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, urging others with the condition to speak up.
Retired airline captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, known for the 2009 emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549, disclosed on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The 75-year-old said he is "in the beginning of this long journey" and hopes his openness will encourage other families facing the disease.
Sullenberger, who retired from commercial flying in 2010, recalled his career, including his service in the U.S. Air Force, work as an aviation accident investigator and his 2021 appointment as the United States ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization. He noted that the diagnosis has already affected his memory and sleep, saying, "For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well."
The former captain, who became a national figure after safely ditching an Airbus A320 in the Hudson River and saving all 155 passengers and crew, has previously advocated for aviation safety reforms such as increased pilot training, mandatory rest periods and a two-pilot cockpit rule. He added that sharing his condition is part of his continued commitment to public service.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about 7.4 million Americans live with the disease, which typically progresses from early memory loss to more severe cognitive impairment.