Mully (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sully determined that the Airbus A320 lacked the necessary speed and altitude to reach any nearby airport after losing both engines to the bird strike. With the plane descending rapidly at around 2,800 feet and both engines crippled, he calculated that attempting to glide back to LaGuardia or reach Teterboro was physically impossible. The Hudson River was the only viable option that offered a chance of survival for all 155 people on board.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in his career, Sully had trained extensively for emergency water landings, though he never expected to use such skills.

• bird strike
• engine failure
• hudson river
• emergency landing
• airport decision

The NTSB's job is to determine the cause of aviation incidents and determine whether pilot actions were correct, regardless of outcome. They questioned whether Sully had enough altitude and power to reach LaGuardia or Teterboro after the bird strike. Their computer simulations initially suggested the plane could have made it to an airport, which would have meant the Hudson landing was unnecessary. This investigation threatened Sully's career and reputation despite the successful evacuation.

Foreshadowing: Sully's spotless 40-year safety record made the investigation even more personally devastating.

• ntsb
• investigation
• pilot error
• computer simulations
• career threat

ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) preliminary data indicated that the left engine may have still been operational at idle power after the bird strike. This discovery supported Sully's argument that the incident should be classified as a forced water landing rather than a crash, and it became a key point of contention during the NTSB hearings.

Foreshadowing: Sully's meticulous review of technical data reflected his professional background as both a pilot and safety consultant.

• acars
• left engine
• idle power
• data
• evidence

Sully argued the computer simulations were unrealistic because they gave pilots advance knowledge of the emergency. The simulation controllers knew in advance that a bird strike would occur and could react instantly with the perfect response. In reality, pilots need time to assess the situation, diagnose the problem, and make decisions. The foreknowledge created an artificial scenario that didn't reflect real human decision-making under sudden crisis.

Foreshadowing: This argument echoed Sully's insistence throughout the film that the 208 seconds should be judged with human reaction time in mind.

• computer simulation
• human reaction
• foreknowledge
• emergency decision
• NTSB hearing

Sully arranged for live pilots to repeat the simulation using the actual conditions they faced that day, without advance knowledge of the emergency. These live pilot simulations resulted in failed landings or crashes, proving that the computer-generated scenarios were unrealistic. When the NTSB adjusted their simulation to account for the real decision-making timeline, the results validated Sully's judgment that the Hudson landing was the only safe option.

Foreshadowing: The live pilots experienced the same confusion and time pressure Sully described, leading to unsuccessful outcomes.

• live pilot simulation
• failed landing
• validation
• results
• NTSB adjustment

The port (left) engine was retrieved from the Hudson River, and forensic analysis confirmed it had sustained catastrophic damage consistent with the bird strike. This physical evidence proved Sully's assertion that both engines had been rendered non-functional by the collision with the flock of birds, validating his assessment that he had no viable option but to ditch the plane in the river.

Foreshadowing: The retrieval of the engine was shown as a climactic moment that would either vindicate or condemn Sully's actions.

• port engine
• retrieved
• damage
• bird strike
• forensic evidence
• validation

Jeff Skiles pointed out that the miraculous survival of all on board was largely due to Sully's decisive action in activating the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The APU provides backup electrical power when both main engines are failed, ensuring that critical systems like flight controls, communications, and emergency lighting remained operational. This allowed the crew to maintain control of the aircraft and execute the evacuation effectively.

Foreshadowing: This technical detail highlighted Sully's deep knowledge of the Airbus A320's systems.

• auxiliary power unit
• apu
• electrical power
• systems
• evacuation

Despite the successful emergency landing and saving all 155 lives, Sully faced potential career ruin because the NTSB's initial findings suggested pilot error. If the investigation concluded that Sully could have safely landed at an airport but chose not to, he could have lost his pilot's license and faced legal consequences. The scrutiny questioned his professional judgment after 40 years of safely transporting millions of passengers.

Foreshadowing: The film emphasized how quickly a lifetime of exemplary service could be overshadowed by 208 seconds of crisis.

• career
• pilot license
• reputation
• professional judgment
• NTSB findings

After the initial celebration as heroes, Sully and his wife Lorraine became targets of intense media attention as the NTSB investigation progressed. The press hounded them for information about the incident, and the narrative shifted from celebrating the miracle landing to questioning whether Sully's decision was correct. This unwanted attention added emotional strain during an already difficult period of uncertainty about his career.

Foreshadowing: The media's change in tone reflected the broader public debate about Sully's actions.

• media
• press
• lorraine
• scrutiny
• fame
• investigation

Emergency services responded within remarkably fast 24 minutes. Seven ferries, including the Thomas Jefferson and Intrepid, rushed to the scene along with over 1,200 rescue workers. This rapid response was critical in getting all 155 passengers and crew to safety. The coordination between the air traffic controllers who cleared emergency paths and the ferry operators ensured survivors were evacuated from the freezing water before hypothermia could set in.

Foreshadowing: The timeline of the rescue was a testament to New York City's maritime infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

• ferry
• rescue
• emergency services
• thomas jefferson
• intrepid
• hudson river