Captain who saved 155 people landing on the Hudson River: Now I need the same courage to defeat Alzheimer's

The 75-year-old former pilot shared the news on his personal page, announcing that the diagnosis has been recently established and that the disease is located in early stages.

For the moment, this means that I may not be able to remember a name, or forget a story I just told, or not get a good night's sleep, but I'm at the start of this round-of-the-clock trip, he wrote.

Sultanenberger said that this new phase of life has led him to reflect on the meaning of the service and that he has decided to speak up about his illness.

The captain became a hero on January 15, 2009, when he directed US Airways' flight 1549 from LaGardia Airport in New York to Charlotte, North Carolina. Just minutes after takeoff, the plane crashed into a flock of birds, losing the function of both engines.

Unable to return to the airport, the former US Air Force pilot made an emergency landing on the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 people aboard. The event is considered one of the most successful rescue operations in the history of civil aviation.

His story was brought to the big screen in 2016 with the film “Sully”, where actor Tom Hanks performed the role of the captain.

In his message, Sultanenberger also recalled what he has often used for the success of Flight 1549.

Over the years, when I was asked how Flight 1549 had such a successful outcome, the response was that the certificate could be contagious. That day, that courage helped all of us to work together to get everyone out of the plane safely. ”

He added that he now needs the same courage to cope with his illness.

Now we need that courage to fight this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you and we will all show courage together. ”/Periscope/