Investigators object to portrayal in film

By JOAN LOWY

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Losing thrust in both engines but still managing to land an airliner full of people in the Hudson River without the loss of a single life is plenty dramatic. But the drama in “Sully,” the movie about the “Miracle on the Hudson” ditching of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, doesn’t stop there.

And that’s a problem, say the former government accident investigators involved in the real-life investigation into the 2009 accident. The public, as well as pilots and others in the aviation industry, who see the film may get the wrong impression that investigators were trying to smear the pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, they said.

“We’re not the KGB. We’re not the Gestapo,” said Robert Benzon, who led the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. “We’re the guys with the white hats on.”

The film, scheduled for release in theaters today, portrays investigators as more like prosecutors looking for any excuse to blame Sullenberger for the mishap.

Could the plane have made it back to LaGuardia Airport if Sullenberger, portrayed by actor Tom Hanks, had turned it around? Did the thrust in both engines quit after the plane struck a flock of geese or was there still some power in one? Was the US Airways captain’s performance affected by other factors? When was his last alcoholic drink? Was he having problems at home?

It’s true that those questions were asked, and many more, over the course of the 18-month investigation, but that’s just part of NTSB’s meticulous investigation process that is intended to find all possible flaws that contribute to a crash, investigators said. That way the board can make safety recommendations to prevent future accidents. Thirty-five safety recommendations were ultimately issued as a result of the Flight 1549 investigation.

Investigators recalled Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeff Skiles, portrayed by actor Aaron Eckhart, as comfortable and cooperative. Pilot union officials representing them were present during all the interviews and at later public forums.

“These guys were already national heroes,” said Benzon. “We weren’t out to embarrass anybody at all.”