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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:

  • Captain Sully Sullenberger, known for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, has announced he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
  • Sullenberger shared the news on his personal website, detailing initial symptoms like memory lapses and confirming he is receiving treatment.
  • He hopes that by making his diagnosis public, he can inspire other families facing the disease to step forward and confront it with courage, drawing parallels to the shared courage during the "Miracle on the Hudson."
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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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