local
Sully Sullenberger, ‘Miracle on the Hudson' pilot, says he has Alzheimer's disease
By Daniel Arkin | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· July 14, 2026
· 2 min read
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the retired pilot who successfully landed a commercial airliner filled with passengers in the Hudson River after the plane lost thrust in both engines, announced Tuesday he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It is early stage. For now, this means a name...
Key takeaway For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey,” Sullenberger, 75, said in a statement on his website.
Why this matters in Frisco News
As a resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, it's worth noting that Sullenberger's announcement may resonate with local families affected by Alzheimer's disease. The North Texas region is home to a significant number of organizations and support groups dedicated to Alzheimer's research and care, and Sullenberger's decision to share his diagnosis could help raise awareness and reduce stigma around the disease. His advocacy for aviation safety has been well-documented, and it will be interesting to see if he becomes involved in local efforts to support Alzheimer's research and awareness in the area. With a large and growing senior population in Collin and Denton counties, Sullenberger's courage in sharing his diagnosis may inspire others to speak out and seek support, potentially leading to increased resources and attention for Alzheimer's care in the local community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the retired pilot who successfully landed a commercial airliner filled with passengers in the Hudson River after the plane lost thrust in both engines, announced Tuesday he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“It is early stage. For now, this means a name...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Arkin | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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