Yes, the movie Sully (2016) is based on the true story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and the US Airways Flight 1549, which made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in New York City in 2009.
What is the true story behind the movie Sully (2016)?
The movie Sully (2016) is based on the true story of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his remarkable emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in 2009.
On January 15, 2009, Captain Sullenberger and his first officer, Jeff Skiles, were flying from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, when their Airbus A320 hit a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. Sullenberger quickly realized that the plane would not be able to make it back to the airport, and instead chose to land the aircraft in the Hudson River in order to prevent a catastrophic crash.
All 155 passengers and crew on board the flight survived the landing, thanks to the quick thinking and skill of Captain Sullenberger and his crew. The incident became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”, and Sullenberger and his crew were hailed as heroes.
However, in the aftermath of the landing, Sullenberger faced scrutiny and investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which questioned his decision-making during the emergency. The NTSB ultimately determined that Sullenberger and his crew had acted appropriately and made the best decisions possible in a high-pressure situation, and their investigation led to changes in airplane safety protocols and training.
The movie Sully (2016) depicts the events of the emergency landing and the subsequent investigation, as well as Sullenberger’s personal struggles with the aftermath of the incident. It stars Tom Hanks as Sullenberger and Aaron Eckhart as Skiles.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Sully (2016)?
Yes, there is a book titled “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” by Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III and Jeffrey Zaslow. The book was published in 2009 and recounts the events of the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, whereby Captain Sullenberger successfully landed the plane and saved the lives of all 155 passengers and crew on board. The book also details Sullenberger’s life and career in aviation leading up to the incident.
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