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Flight 1549 Crew Given Keys to New York City


By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 9, 2009

Modified Feb 9, 2009


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Mayor Bloomberg gives Sully a copy of the book the pilot lost on Flight 1549.

 

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By

Jen Chung

Published Feb 9, 2009

Modified Feb 9, 2009


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The brave crew of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, which splash landed into the Hudson on January 15, was honored by Mayor Bloomberg this morning. The mayor said:

"New York is a city full of heroes: police officers, firefighters, emergency workers and everyday citizens who show their own brand of courage each day," said Mayor Bloomberg. "That’s why I think New Yorkers have felt such a strong connection to the story of Flight 1549, not just because it happened right here at our doorstep, but because the ‘Fearless Five’ - who managed to save every single passenger on that flight - lived up to an ideal that all of us in New York aspire to and many have often reached."

Bloomberg presented "Keys to the City" to Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh, Flight Attendant Sheila Dail, Flight Attendant Donna Dent, First Officer Jeffrey Skiles and Pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger. And one flight attendant (we think it was Donna Dent) said she was thrilled to have a key to the city and hoped that made her a New Yorker; Bloomberg said he'd be happy for her to be a taxpayer too.

Sullenberger made a point of making sure the press realized a team effort responded to the crash and contributed to the great ending—and that he could not be the only one to take the credit. Bloomberg also gave Sully a copy of his library book, which was lost on the flight: Just Culture: Balancing Safety and Accountability by Sidney Dekker.

Tagged

chesley sullenberger

flight 1549

mayor bloomberg

us airways flight 1549


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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