Sully

Cactus 1549.

Runway four. Cleared for takeoff.

Cactus 1549. Cleared for takeoff.

Mayday, mayday. Cactus 1549.

We've lost both engines. Both engines.

No relight on one or two.

Cactus 1549, if we can get it for you, do you wanna try to land runway 1-3?

Departure control, we can make it.

We're turning back towards LaGuardia.

LaGuardia Tower, Cactus 1549, trying to make 1-3.

Sully, we're too low.

Sully, we're too low!

Come on.

Just a little farther.

Come on.

Sully!

Lorrie, I love you.

What the hell's the matter with you?

The onboard count, 150 passengers,

three flight attendants and two pilots, one of whom,

the senior pilot, drew on all of his experience and skill,

which combined with near-miraculous good luck

and a result that was, frankly, astounding.

There were some non-critical injuries,

but everyone, everyone, survived.

The first pictures of US Airways Flight 1549 reveal...

You think that you're gonna die. That's what you think.

And then, miraculously, you don't.

Thank you, Captain.

Thank you, thank you.

Okay, thank you, everybody, thank you.

Thank you, Captain Sullenberger, for being here today.

We also wanna welcome First Officer Skiles.

I'm glad you could make it in this morning.

Not as glad as we are.

For the record, we had an Aircraft Systems Team on this investigation.

Also Aircraft Structures, MRT,

Aircraft Performance, ATC,

Wildlife Factors, Survival Factors and Emergency Response.

Today, we begin with our operation and human performance investigation

on the crash of US Airways Flight 1549.

- Water landing. - Captain?

This was not a crash and it wasn't a ditching.

We knew what we were trying to execute here.

It was not a...

It was not a crash. It was a forced water landing.

Why didn't you attempt to return to LaGuardia?

There simply was not enough altitude.

The Hudson was the only place that was long enough and smooth enough

and wide enough to even attempt to land the airplane safely.

Air Traffic testified

that you stated you were returning to LaGuardia,

but you did not.

As I began the left turn,

I realized I couldn't make it back

and it would have eliminated all the other options.

Returning to LaGuardia would have been a mistake.

Okay, well, let's get into how you calculated all those parameters.

There was no time for calculating.

I had to rely on my experience of managing the altitude and speed

of thousands of flights over four decades.

You're saying you didn't do any...

I eyeballed it.

You eyeballed it?

Yes.

The best chance those passengers had was on that river.

And I'd bet my life on it.

In fact, I did.

And I would do it again.

Aviation engineers are theorizing

you had enough energy to make it back to a runway.

Well, engineers are not pilots.

They're wrong.

And they weren't there.

Regardless, we have to follow up on all implications as part of our investigation.

Our computers will run return scenario algorithms.

It'll generate simulations with your exact parameters.

The dual engine loss, the altitude.

Everything you faced when you made your decision.

I would like to oversee those computer simulations.

Not possible during an investigation.

You stated that it was a dual engine failure due to multiple bird strikes?

That would be unprecedented.

Well, everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time.

How much sleep did you get the night before?

Eight hours. Enough.

Is it possible your blood sugar was low?

I was rested, alert and completely aware of my surroundings.

When was your last drink, Captain Sullenberger?

Nine days ago.

Drugs?

No. Never.

First Officer Skiles?

Uh, don't drink. Never have.

Captain, have you had any troubles at home lately?

No more than anyone else.

And nothing that affected my work.

It's bullshit.

Why are they looking for something we did wrong when it all turned out right?

It didn't turn out all right for the airline and their insurance company.

We should expect some blowback.

Come on, Mike. What are they gonna say? That he shouldn't have saved everybody?

It's not personal. NTSB's just doing its job.

Once they have all the facts, it'll calm down.

Sully,

they should pin on the medal and send you back to work.

Sorry. This mailbox is full.

I didn't call Lorrie since this morning. Apparently everyone else did.

Not meaning to bother, but I have to say,

it is an honor driving you today.

Thank you.

What has it been this year so far?

Bernie Madoff, two wars without end. Many million new people with no work.

And that's just the first two weeks of January.

Friday's headline? This is beautiful.

Hey, Mike. How about we add the driver as a character witness?

Finally!

Yeah, finally.

The NTSB had us tied up all day.

I know.

I just needed to hear your voice.

I've been hearing everybody else's.

You'd be amazed how many cousins you have.

It doesn't feel much like family here.

Pretty quiet here, too.

The reporters want me to give an update inside the mind of Sully.

What should I tell them?

Lorrie, tell them you're not allowed to talk to anybody.

- Look, I can't hear you. - Lorrie, I...

- I can't hear you. Call me back. - I'm trying to tell you

you do not have to talk to anybody.

I can't hear you. Call me back.

Lorrie, I'm trying to tell...

Hey, Captain Sully!

- Captain Sully! - Sully!

How does it feel to be a miracle maker?

Sully, one question!

- How did you pull off the impossible? - Sully!

Captain Sully! Sully!

Pardon me.

Captain Sully!

I'm thinking about running over the press with the car.

Self-defense. You think a jury would convict?

Just do what you have to do.

You know, I'm taking that as permission. The cops'll be coming after you.

Sullenberger couldn't be here.

He is not able to speak to the media

while the NTSB is conducting its investigation.

Sully, are you listening to me?

Maybe we should talk later.

Honey, it is later. I've been waiting all day.

Are you okay?

Yeah, just tired, that's all.

How are the girls?

Well, they're...

They're a little overwhelmed. It sounds like you are, too.

Yeah...

Yeah, well, they'll be all right.

It is a lot.

Yes, it is.

Those missing engines were definitely not what investigators wanted...

The whole world is talking about you.

My Sully.

God, I just can't believe this.

Lorrie, I have to stay here longer

for the NTSB investigation.

Did I tell you that already? I apologize if I didn't tell you.

There is no need for you to apologize. You are right where you need to be.

I want you to know, I did the best I could.

Of course you did. You saved everyone.

Uh, maybe we should just talk in the morning. I'm tired.

I'm overwhelmed by all this attention.

I'm gonna be on TV in the morning.

What are they gonna ask me? What am I gonna say?

Sully, do you want me to come be with you?

No, Lorrie.

Thanks, but the girls need you.

Tell them I love them.

I love you. Get some sleep.

Yeah.

Hey, maybe when I wake up, it'll be January 14th.

Wouldn't that be good?

I love you.

Why Captain Sullenberger made that fateful decision

to turn the Hudson into a runway?

Well, only he can answer.

But we now know it was the wrong choice.

A choice that endangered the lives of all of those onboard.

So, while much of the country hails him as a hero,

this new information will certainly change everyone's understanding

of the so-called "Miracle on the Hudson."

Sully Sullenberger, are you a hero or a fraud?

- Hello? - Jeff?

I'm sorry to call so late.

It's okay. There's no sleep in this room either.

Can you believe they charge $5 for a Snickers?

I could bankrupt the airline in about four bites.

Just thought maybe you would want to, uh...

Talk?

Absolutely.