'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot says book that highlights plane's technology in landing wrong

Associated Press

Last update: November 16, 2009 - 12:03 AM

NEW YORK - The pilot who guided his disabled plane to a safe emergency landing in the Hudson River says that a new book that underscores the role of the jet's automation technology in the landing is inaccurate.

Capt. Chesley Sullenberger said Sunday that the book, "Fly By Wire," by William Langewiesche (lang-a-VEE'-sha) greatly overstates how much it mattered" that the Airbus A320 featured an automated cockpit.

Sullenberger ditched US Airways Flight 1549 on Jan. 15 when geese strikes killed the power in the jet's engines. All 155 on board survived.

He said the outcome would have been the same without the automation.

Langewiesche said that his book has been mischaracterized. He says he doesn't think the technology's role was critical, but that it was "part of the story."

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com

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