OAN Staff Addie Davis
3:00 PM – Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who famously saved 155 lives by successfully landing U.S. Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
In a Tuesday statement, Sullenberger announced that he has been diagnosed with the disease, adding that it was still in the early stage.
“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, but I am in the beginning of this long journey,” he said.
After a severe bird strike completely disabled both engines of US Airways Flight 1549, Captain Sullenberger glided the crippled Airbus A320 to a safe water landing on the freezing Hudson River. A bird strike is aviation terminology for a collision between an airborne animal, usually a bird or a bat, and an aircraft.
Nonetheless, against near-impossible odds, all 155 passengers and crew on board were successfully rescued without a single fatality — an extraordinary feat of skill and coordination forever remembered as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
The 2016 movie “Sully,” directed by Clint Eastwood, portrayed the dramatic event and subsequent investigation, with Sullenberger being played by actor Tom Hanks.
While best known for his heroic water landing, Sullenberger’s career spans decades of distinguished aviation service. His extensive background includes roles as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, veteran commercial airline captain, air safety investigator, and U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“I used the greater voice afforded to me by The Miracle on the Hudson to further aviation safety by speaking out on many issues facing the industry,” Sullenberger said. “I was proud to work with many colleagues, fighting for increased pilot training, more pilot rest, in favor of the two-pilot rule, on increased technology issues, and more.”
Meanwhile, despite the diagnosis, Sullenberger made it clear he intends to continue to find ways to serve his country.
“So this new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service. And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they too can step forward,” he said.
While revealing the diagnosis, he reflected on his family, which included his wife of thirty-seven years, Lorrie, and their two daughters.
“Lorrie and I often said we won the baby lottery with our two daughters. And we have learned what people say is actually true: that grandchildren are a game changer. Our granddaughter gives a whole new meaning to life,” he said. “Though it may impact my memory of the past, this diagnosis will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future. I will navigate this chapter with my wonderful family by my side,” he continued.
While recognizing the courageous spirit that led to the rescue of those aboard Flight 1549, he explained that same spirit would be necessary for the current circumstances.
“Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully,” Sullenberger said. “Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”
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