

Released today by the Federal Aviation Administration, Chesley Sullenberger is heard discussing options with air traffic control after telling them a bird strike had wiped out his engines.


The incident on January 15 has turned Mr Sullenberger - or Sully as he is known - into a national hero.

His actions have been cited as the reason all 155 passengers and crew survived the crash, in what has been dubbed "the miracle on the Hudson".


The recording released today shows that the pilot told air traffic control that the plane had "hit birds, lost thrust in both engines".

"We're turning back towards LaGuardia," Mr Sullenberger adds.

Departures from the airport are stropped to enable an emergency landing, but it soon becomes clear that the passenger jet will not be able to make it.


Attempts are then made to reach Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

After clearing the emergency landing with the airport, air traffic control tell Mr Sullenberger: "You can land runway one at Teterboro."

The pilot replies: "We can't do it. We're gonna be in the Hudson."

"I'm sorry, say again," air traffic control says.

After the plane glided on to the Hudson, a rescue operation involving commercial ferries and emergency services were able to rescue all the passengers, many of whom stood on the craft's wings while waiting to be rescued.

Mr Sullenberger walked through the plane twice to ensure all passengers managed to get out safely, it has been reported.

Listen to it here.