US hero pilot, crew to receive keys to New York City



NEW YORK (AFP) - Hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who safely guided a passenger jet to a perfect splash-landing in the Hudson River last month, was to be awarded the symbolic keys to New York City on Monday, along with his fellow crew members, US media reported.



US hero pilot, crew to receive keys to New York City
New York Newsday newspaper and other media outlets reported that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will honor Sullenberger and the crew of the fateful US Airways flight on January 15 at a city hall ceremony, scheduled for 1530 GMT.
The pilot and crew also are to make the rounds of the morning TV news shows, following Sunday's broadcast of an extensive interview with Sullenberger on CBS television.
In that broadcast, Sullenberger described smelling "burned bird" in the engines, then deciding to land the jet with 155 people on board in the Hudson, drawing on his 42-year flying experience.
"As it turned out, my entire life up to that moment had been a preparation to handle that particular moment," said the former US Air Force fighter pilot, who has been celebrated as an American hero.

Monday, February 9th 2009
AFP
           


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