Retired Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, celebrated for piloting US Airways Flight 1549 to a safe landing on the Hudson River in 2009, has disclosed that he is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sullenberger, 75, discussed his diagnosis, first made in August 2025, with his wife, Lorrie, on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” He described the progressive brain disorder as his “last flight” and expressed a desire to use his experience to help others.
“One of the first things I noticed was it was harder and harder to remember people’s names, even people we knew,” Sullenberger told interviewer Robin Roberts. “That’s still an issue. Just forgetting things that I normally wouldn’t, or repeating myself, not realizing I had just said that an hour ago.”
He is currently undergoing a monthly treatment intended to slow the progression of the disease. Sullenberger urged individuals who suspect they might have symptoms of Alzheimer's to get tested, emphasizing that an earlier diagnosis generally leads to a better outcome.
Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia in older adults, is characterized by a gradual worsening of memory, thinking, and behavior.
On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles were at the controls of Flight 1549 when a bird strike disabled both engines shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport. Their skill in executing an emergency water landing on the Hudson River saved all 155 people aboard.
Reflecting on the “Miracle on the Hudson,” Sullenberger stated that he considered it a success only because every life was saved. He described the event as having to “devise a plan, execute that plan flawlessly for the first time, never having done that before, and save every life in 208 seconds.”
He drew a parallel between that event and his current situation, saying, “So I think we’re doing the same thing here.” Sullenberger expressed hope that by speaking publicly about his health, he and his wife might make a difference.
When asked about his primary concern, Sullenberger said, “That this is my last flight. But if this has to be my last flight, I’m going to go out using full afterburner.”