In January 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 suffered a dual engine failure shortly after take-off from LaGuardia Airport due to a bird strike. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles conducted an emergency landing on the Hudson River and, remarkably, all 155 passengers and crew survived.
In this episode of “What Just Happened?”, hosts Kate Hartley and Tamara Littleton are joined by aviation psychologist Jill Green to discuss the extraordinary calm and leadership demonstrated by ‘Sully’, who made the critical decision to land on the Hudson, executing it flawlessly with support from his co-pilot and crew.
The conversation explores key themes including decision-making under pressure, the importance of flight training, and the psychological and physiological responses to crisis. It highlights Crew Resource Management (CRM), a system fostering communication, cooperation, and trust among flight crew, which proved essential in the successful outcome. Communication strategies, such as Sully’s deliberate use of words like “brace” and “evacuate,” illustrate the power of clarity in crisis.
The episode underscores the value of leadership, teamwork, psychological safety, and preparedness, offering insights applicable not only in aviation but across industries facing high-pressure decision-making.
A full transcript of today’s show is available to read here.