On January 15 , 2009 , Sullenberger was the captain of US Airways Flight 1549 , an Airbus A320 taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City . Shortly after takeoff , the plane struck a flock of Canada geese and lost power in both engines . Quickly determining he would be unable to reach either LaGuardia or Teterboro airport , Sullenberger piloted the plane to a water landing on the Hudson River . All 155 people on board survived and were rescued by nearby boats
US Airways Flight 1549
US Airways Flight 1549
Chesley Sullenberger