Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Capt. Sully: I Could Have Done Better

Pilot testifies he wishes he'd warned crew before crash

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2009 11:56 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the man the New York Daily News dubs the “Hero of the Hudson,” thinks he could have done better. “I wish I had had more time,” the now-famous pilot said today, testifying before the National Transportation Safety Board. His big regret: Not warning the flight crew or passengers that they were about to hit the water.

The only warning anyone outside the cabin got was a quick message from Sullenberger: “This is the captain—brace for impact.” When they touched down, Sullenberger and his co-pilot turned to each other and said, in unison, “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought.” Sullenberger’s testimony kicks off three days of NTSB hearings on the crash; they are expected to focus on the dangers of bird strikes.

Captain Chesley Sully Sullenberger testifies before a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger testifies before a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Chesley Sully Sullenberger III, right, pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed into the Hudson River on Jan. 15, makes an appearance on CBS's The Early Show Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 in New York.
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, right, pilot of US Airways Flight 1549 that crashed into the Hudson River on Jan. 15, makes an appearance on CBS's "The Early Show" Monday, Feb. 9, 2009 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
In this Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 file photo, Capt. Chesley B Sullenberger III waits to testify on Capitol Hill.
In this Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 file photo, Capt. Chesley B Sullenberger III waits to testify on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Mad
Jun 10, 2009 4:08 AM CDT
Damn, Sully, 15 minutes wasn't enough for you? Need a few more, huh?
Nwambe
Jun 9, 2009 11:44 AM CDT
Sometimes I wonder how some people are able to sleep after undergoing something as traumatic as what Mr. Sullenberger went through. I can imagine, though, that he had probably the soundest and most well-deserved rest of his life. Congratulations, Mr. Sullenberger - You've damn well earned it.
Robert_Dada
Jun 9, 2009 5:28 AM CDT
I don't think anyone could have done much better. A hero in every sense of the word.

Sullenberger testimony opens hearings
New York Times

Investigators praise Sully
Los Angeles Times

US • Politics

 
Hudson River • National Transportation Safety Board • Chesley Sullenberger • Flight 1549 • Hudson crash

More Newser Stories

NYC Giving Geese to Food Banks

Hudson River Hero Sullenberger Lands at CBS

'Miracle on Hudson' Jet Heading to NC Museum

Captain Sully Retires

‘Miracle on Hudson’ Plane Up for Auction
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne