US Airways pilot hero breaks his silence about emergency landing

By Super Admin
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Google Oneindia News

Washington, Feb.3 (ANI): The pilot whose splash landing in the Hudson made him an American hero has broken his silence, saying his death defying feat was a combo of being "calm on the outside, turmoil inside."

Praised for his coolness under fire, Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger III described his January 15 river plunge as "surreal" and revealed he and his wife has shed tears over it.

In his first interview since being credited with saving himself and the 154 passengers and crew, the 58-year-old aviation ace described the nerve-rattling wild ride as "shocking."

"It was very quiet as we worked, my co-pilot and I. We were a team. But to have zero thrust coming out of those engines was shocking - the silence," he said.

Sullenberger's Flight 1549 lost power in both engines after hitting a flock of birds on take off from LaGuardia Airport. Rapidly losing altitude and unable to reach an airport, Sullenberger decided to use the Hudson as an emergency runway.

Asked how he felt inside as his Airbus glided towards the water, the dashing silver-haired Californian said, "Calm on the outside, turmoil inside."

Sully's wife, Lorrie, said they have been flooded with fan mail that they read at night before going to bed.

"It allows both of us to express emotion about it all. "We both sit there and cry," Lorrie Sullenberger said. (ANI)

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