Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, the heroic pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 onto the Hudson River 5 years ago today, marked that anniversary with some kind words for the Buffalo families whose loved ones died a month later in the Clarence Center plane crash.
Sullenberger, speaking on “CBS This Morning,” praised the families of the victims of Flight 3407.
When asked about the lasting impact his "Miracle on the Hudson" incident had on aviation safety, Sullenberger downplayed his role, noting it was the relentless efforts of those Buffalo-area families that brought real reform to the industry.
"In the final report that the NTSB wrote on our flight, they made several dozen recommendations – to my knowledge, none of which have been implemented by FAA or by industry," Sullenberger said. "It’s been instead the Buffalo crash a month later, in February of 2009 and only because the families of the victims have been such ardent advocates on Capitol Hill."