Capt. Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger says he has Alzheimer’s disease

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the retired airline pilot widely known for the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” emergency landing, has announced that he has Alzheimer’s disease, drawing renewed attention to one of the most recognizable figures in modern aviation.

Sullenberger became a national figure after safely guiding US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River in New York on Jan. 15, 2009, after the Airbus A320 struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff, disabling both engines. All 155 passengers and crew members survived, and the landing was later praised by aviation experts as an extraordinary act of skill, training and composure under pressure.

News of his diagnosis quickly spread across the United States, where online searches for the veteran pilot surged. Public interest reflects not only Sullenberger’s role in one of aviation’s best-known emergencies, but also his years of advocacy on airline safety, pilot training and public service.

In the years after Flight 1549, Sullenberger remained active in public life. He wrote and spoke about aviation safety, leadership and decision-making in crises. He also served in diplomatic and advisory roles, extending his influence beyond the cockpit and into policy discussions about transportation and public trust.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking and behavior over time. The condition is the most common cause of dementia and can alter daily functioning in gradual but significant ways. Public disclosures by high-profile figures often bring broader visibility to the disease and to the experiences of families navigating diagnosis, treatment and long-term care.

Sullenberger’s announcement has prompted an outpouring of support from admirers, members of the aviation community and people who remember the Hudson River landing as a rare moment of calm and competence in the face of disaster. His name has remained closely tied to that event, which was later dramatized in the film “Sully” and cemented his place in American cultural memory.

While details about the timing and progression of his diagnosis were limited in early reports, the news has resonated because Sullenberger’s public image has long been associated with sharp judgment and exceptional recall during a life-or-death emergency. His story now also highlights a different challenge faced by millions of people worldwide who live with Alzheimer’s and related conditions.

Sullenberger’s legacy in aviation remains secure. Investigators and experts have repeatedly cited the Flight 1549 landing as an example of the value of experience, crew coordination and disciplined training. For many Americans, he continues to represent professionalism and steadiness at a time when both were urgently needed.

His diagnosis adds a personal chapter to a public life defined by service, and it is likely to deepen conversations about brain health, aging and support for patients and caregivers. As those discussions continue, Sullenberger remains a figure whose impact reaches far beyond the river landing that first made him a household name.