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‘Miracle on the Hudson’ Pilot Sully Sullenberger Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s

Retired captain says symptoms are relatively mild but acknowledges ‘long journey’ ahead.

Sully Sullenberger [Credit: Getty Images]
Sully Sullenberger [Credit: Getty Images]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilot Sully Sullenberger, famous for the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson," has announced he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
  • Sullenberger, 75, shared the news on his personal website, stating he is receiving treatment and experiencing early symptoms such as memory lapses.
  • He hopes that by openly sharing his diagnosis, he can encourage other families affected by the disease to step forward and foster a sense of community and shared courage.
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Sully Sullenberger, the pilot who became a household name after safely landing a disabled US Airways flight on the Hudson River in 2009, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

In a statement posted on his personal website on Tuesday, Sullenberger, 75, said he is receiving treatment at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.

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