Is Sully Based on a True Story? Plot and Ending Explained
by Aishwarya R
Updated May 04, 2023
Sully
Sully is a biographical drama film released in 2016 that tells the true story of the heroic actions of pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger during the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in 2009. The film is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, and Laura Linney in the lead roles.
The movie opens with a gripping scene where Sully (played by Tom Hanks) is flying the plane and suddenly, both of the plane's engines are disabled due to a bird strike. Sully manages to stay calm and immediately decides to land the plane on the Hudson River in New York City, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members aboard. The incident is widely covered by the media, and Sully is hailed as a hero for his quick thinking and bravery.
However, soon after the incident, Sully and his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles (played by Aaron Eckhart), are subjected to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which suggests that Sully could have landed the plane safely at a nearby airport instead of risking a water landing. The NTSB's investigation threatens to undermine Sully's reputation and his heroic status.
The film explores the aftermath of the incident and the toll it takes on Sully and his family. It also delves into the investigation, with scenes showing the intense scrutiny and questioning that Sully faces from the NTSB. Despite the doubts and pressure, Sully remains convinced that he made the right decision and defends his actions with the help of his legal counsel and supportive colleagues.
Sully is a well-crafted film that effectively captures the tension and drama of the emergency landing and the subsequent investigation. The movie showcases Tom Hanks' exceptional acting skills and delivers a powerful message about the importance of trusting one's instincts, even in the face of intense scrutiny and doubt. Overall, Sully is a must-watch movie that pays tribute to the heroism of a true American hero.
Is Sully Based on a True Story?
Yes, Sully is a movie based on the real-life miraculous event known as The Miracle on the Hudson. It depicts the heroic actions of US Pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who was commanding US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009, when the plane's engines were struck by birds.
Despite being left with few options, Sullenberger made the bold decision to land the plane on the Hudson River, and all 155 people on board were saved.
After the incident, Sullenberger received national calls of thanks from both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. However, his actions were also subjected to scrutiny, as investigations are standard procedure for all plane crashes.
Despite being a national hero, Sullenberger and his crew were not sure if they had made the right decisions at every juncture and would ultimately be vindicated. Investigation leader Robert Benzon clarified that they were not trying to embarrass anyone, but rather doing their job as guys with the white hats on. The story of Sullenberger and his crew's bravery is a testament to the importance of trusting one's instincts, even in the face of doubt and pressure.
Meet the Real Man Sully
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is a retired airline captain and former Air Force fighter pilot. He was born on January 23, 1951, in Denison, Texas and began his training in the United States Air Force in 1969.
During his time in the Air Force, he served as a flight leader and training officer in the 493d Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. He joined Pacific Southwest Airlines as a commercial pilot in 1980 and flew for 30 years before retiring a year after The Miracle on the Hudson incident.
Sully made the crucial decision to land the plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board. He is now a CBS news aviation and safety expert and resides in San Francisco with his wife Lorraine Sullenberger, a fitness instructor. They have two adopted daughters named Kate and Kelly.
Sully wrote a book about his experience, "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters," with co-pilot Jeffrey Zaslow. The book is a New York Times bestseller and offers a firsthand account of the 2009 incident.
Sully Plot
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles are flying US Airways Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport on January 15, 2009. After just three minutes, a flock of birds hit the plane, damaging both engines. Sully and Jeff quickly assess the situation and realize they cannot make it to the nearby airports. They make the decision to land the plane on the Hudson River, which they do successfully, allowing all crew and passengers to evacuate without fatalities. Sully is praised for his heroism, but he and his family are hounded by the press.
Sully stays in New York City to help with the investigation and learns that the left engine was still running at idle power after the bird strike, indicating that it might have been possible to land at either LaGuardia or Teterboro airports. However, Sully and Jeff maintain that they made the right call and that it would not have been safe to attempt to land at either airport. The NTSB believes it may be a case of pilot error and conducts several computer simulations, which seem to indicate that the plane could have landed safely at the airports. Sully and Jeff argue that the simulations are unrealistic and do not factor in human factors such as the shock of the situation and the high stakes they faced. The simulations are rerun with a 35-second pause, and it is concluded that the plane could not have landed safely at either airport. The NTSB accepts Sully's argument and credits him with acting correctly in the emergency.
Sully acknowledges the role of everyone on board, as well as the air traffic controllers, ferry crews, and emergency response teams in the successful outcome. Despite the intense scrutiny and pressure, Sully's reputation is ultimately restored, and he is hailed as a hero.
Sully Ending Explained
The movie "Sully" portrays the events surrounding the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, as well as the subsequent investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The film focuses on Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, played by Tom Hanks, and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles, played by Aaron Eckhart, and their decision to land the plane on the river after it struck a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. The landing was successful, and all 155 people on board survived.
However, the film also portrays the investigation by the NTSB, which initially suspected that Sully could have landed the plane safely at either LaGuardia or Teterboro airports. This suspicion puts Sully's career in jeopardy, as the investigation could conclude that it was pilot error and not a necessary emergency landing.
The movie portrays Sully's struggle to defend his decision and his reputation as a skilled pilot. He requests that the simulations be rerun with human pilots, which ultimately vindicates him, showing that his decision was the best option for the safety of the passengers and crew.
The film highlights Sully's humility and his recognition of the efforts of everyone involved in the rescue and investigation, including the passengers, air traffic controllers, ferry crews, and emergency response teams. It also portrays his emotional toll as he relives the events repeatedly and faces intense scrutiny from the media.
The movie emphasizes the importance of quick thinking, effective decision-making, and teamwork in emergency situations. It also shows the potential consequences of being wrongfully accused of negligence and the impact it can have on an individual's career and personal life.
Is Sully Based on a True Story - FAQs
Sully is the nickname of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, a retired airline pilot who is famous for his successful emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, which became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."
During the Miracle on the Hudson, Sully's plane struck a flock of birds shortly after takeoff, causing both engines to fail. Sully made the quick decision to land the plane on the Hudson River, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Sully co-authored a book called "Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters" with Jeffrey Zaslow. The book recounts his life and career leading up to the Miracle on the Hudson, as well as the events of the emergency landing and its aftermath.
Sully is retired from flying and now works as an aviation and safety expert for CBS News. He is also a public speaker, and continues to advocate for aviation safety and professionalism in the industry.
Initially, the NTSB suspected that Sully may have made a mistake that led to the emergency landing, and conducted an investigation into the incident. However, they ultimately concluded that Sully's actions were the best possible course of action given the circumstances, and praised him for his quick thinking and professionalism.