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Axios
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Charlotte aviation museum named for famed Captain Sully opens new gallery
Sullenberger Aviation Museum's new gallery opens inside a 1930s hangar on Saturday, May 31. Why it matters: This latest section of the museum to open will showcase a range of commercial and military planes. Catch up quick: Sullenberger Aviation Museum reopened last June with a new name and a new home. The museum's name honors Captain C.B. "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed the Charlotte-bound U.S. Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. You may know the 2009 flight as "Miracle on the Hudson." The aircraft from Flight 1549 can be seen in the museum's adjacent main gallery. The latest: The Navy/Marine Corps Gallery is housed inside the W.P.A. Douglas hangar, which was the original home of the museum. Now the hangar will tell Charlotte Douglas International Airport's story and its influence on the city, museum president Stephen Saucier says. What to expect: The hangar was built in 1936 as part of the Works Progress Administration, making it an artifact in and of itself, Saucier says. The gallery includes seven aircraft, with everything from commercial aircraft like a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 to military aircraft like the F-84 Thunderjet. One plane has been converted into a two-person flight simulator. By the numbers: $34 million was raised to build the current iteration of the museum, including $5 million from Charlotte Douglas International Airport's Cannon Fund. The airport renovated the hangar shell, Saucier says. It cost roughly $1.5 million for the museum to bring the gallery to life, per Saucier. If you go: Saturday's grand opening starts at 9am for museum members and 10am for nonmembers. There will be food trucks. Sullenberger Aviation Museum is at 4108 Minuteman Way near CLT. Tickets are $24 for those over age 18, $20 for seniors (65+), $18 for ages 5-17, free for children younger than 5 years old, $20 for military members (active or veterans), $20 for aviation professionals and $20 for educators. What's next: The museum will launch summer camps for 4th-8th grade students this year with a focus on STEM education and aviation. Take a look around the "Aviation City" exhibit.
News18
03-05-2025
- General
- News18
‘Real-Life Sully?' Pilot Pulls Off Emergency Landing On Los Angeles Golf Course
Last Updated: The tragic incident took place at around 1 pm after the pilot of the 1966 Cessna 172G Skyhawk couldn't make it to the nearby Santa Monica Airport. A private plane made an emergency landing at Riviera Country Club golf course after the incident in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles on Friday, May 2. The tragic incident took place at around 1 pm after the pilot of the 1966 Cessna 172G Skyhawk couldn't make it to the nearby Santa Monica Airport. Golf personality Roger Steele shared the video of the incident on the social media platform X with the caption, 'This happened at Riv today. I pray I'm never this late for a tee time, but I do pray for the means to pull up this way if I was." In the video, the plane is losing control while flying. It touched the ground, bounced slightly and then made a crash landing near a sandtrap. Someone is heard yelling, 'Holy schnikes" as the plane heads towards them. A few seconds later, a cart driver says, 'I'm moving, I'm moving" as a plane makes a rough landing on the uneven golf course ground. This happened at Riv today. I pray I'm never this late for a tee time, but I do pray for the means to pull up this way if I was 😂 — Roger Steele (@RogerSteeleJr) May 2, 2025 As soon as the video went viral, social media users began flooding the comment section. Dude's gotta be a golfer or professional. He could have landed on the fairway but it seems he purposely avoided and changed course to the rough between sand traps! That's courageous respect of the famed course!— Neal Atkinson (@NealAtkinson9) May 2, 2025 Another wrote, 'Any landing you can walk away from was a great landing." After the incident, the Los Angeles Fire Department released a statement, saying 'LAFD and Santa Monica Fire Department resources responded to a plane (unknown size) that landed safely at Riviera Country Club." It further mentioned that the plane was redirected from Santa Monica Airport, but the reason for that is still unknown. All three occupants, including the pilot, were unharmed in the incident. On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River after both engines failed due to a bird strike. The Airbus A320, piloted by Captain Chesley 'Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, had taken off from New York's LaGuardia Airport when it struck a flock of geese. With no engine power and no safe runway in reach, Captain Sully made the quick decision to ditch the aircraft in the river. All 155 people on board survived. The event, known as the 'Miracle on the Hudson," highlighted Sully's calm leadership and exceptional piloting skills. First Published: May 03, 2025, 14:43 IST
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Coast Guard veteran critically injured on I-4 while fixing flat tire
The Brief A 20-year Coast Guard veteran was hit by a distracted driver while fixing a flat tire on I-4 in Deltona, authorities say. He remains hospitalized with traumatic brain injuries and cannot speak or walk. His wife is urging drivers to put down their phones and stay alert. ORLANDO, Fla. - A 20-year Coast Guard veteran was hit by a distracted driver while fixing a flat tire on Interstate 4 in Deltona, authorities say. What we know Dana Rocque, a 20-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran turned truck driver, is hospitalized with traumatic brain injuries after being hit by a pickup truck while fixing a flat tire on I-4. The crash happened on March 31 near exit 111 in Deltona as he was preparing for an out-of-state delivery. Rocque had pulled off under an overpass in broad daylight and placed cones to warn other drivers when he was struck by a distracted driver who lost control of their pickup truck hauling a trailer. Since the crash, Rocque has remained hospitalized for over a month. He cannot speak, is on a feeding tube, and has a tracheostomy. His family cannot yet determine if he recognizes them. What we don't know It remains unclear whether the driver who struck Rocque will face any charges. Details about the driver's identity, potential citations, or legal proceedings have not been released. There is also uncertainty around Rocque's long-term prognosis. Medical staff have yet to confirm how much cognitive or physical function he may regain—or if he will fully recover at all. The backstory Rocque devoted two decades of his life to serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, including deployments in Michigan, Alaska, and New York City. Notably, he was part of the emergency response team during the "Miracle on the Hudson" in 2009, when US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River. After retiring from military service, Rocque began working as a truck driver. On the day of the crash, he was en route to deliver materials up north. A routine tire blowout forced him to stop, and moments after alerting his wife via text, tragedy struck. What they're saying His wife, Crystal Rocque, has stayed by his bedside since the accident, speaking emotionally about his condition and his legacy of service. "He loved serving his country. He was very patriotic," she said. Describing his present condition, she said, "He still cannot talk. He has a trach in, he has a feeding tube in. We're still, can't even assess if he knows who we are." "He had a blowout tire, so he pulled off well off the road under an overpass, broad daylight and got out to assess the damage, put out some cones and a distracted driver hit him," she said. "My husband was put into a coma from there and he was critical for weeks." Reflecting on his heroism, she shared, "He responded as a small boats driver [to the Miracle on the Hudson]... it was a huge thing, you know, at the time — a big old plane land on the water like that." But she also underscored the cruel irony. "Many of the things he did throughout his career were so much more dangerous." And her plea to drivers is urgent. "The reason why I decided to speak to you today is because this message is so important." Big picture view Rocque's case is a tragic example of the dangers posed by distracted driving, especially for those stopped on the roadside. It's also a sobering reminder that even decorated service members who've survived high-risk missions are vulnerable to everyday risks when others aren't paying attention behind the wheel. What you can do The family is fundraising for Rocque's recovery through a GoFundMe campaign, seeking support from those moved by his story and service. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information reported by FOX 35's Kelsie Cairns.
Chicago Tribune
11-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
‘He never took his job lightly': Tragic end for Chicago native and commercial pilot in Hudson helicopter crash
NEW YORK — 'Living the dream.' That was how Seankese Johnson, 36, described his new career as a New York City commercial helicopter pilot, flying sightseeing tours around Manhattan. The phrase was the headline atop his LinkedIn page Friday, even as news spread among loved ones that he was the pilot of the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing him and a family of five tourists from Spain. His father, Louis Johnson, said Friday that his son had moved to New York just this year for 'a new chapter in his life.' Seankese Johnson had recently begun flying chopper tours after obtaining his commercial license in 2023 and gaining experience flying heavier-duty helicopters. He flew them on fire rescue missions in California and agricultural projects in Virginia among other stints, according to his resume and his loved ones. More recently, Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran, began to combine a convivial personality with his love of aviation, taking a job flying sightseeing tours in his native Chicago beginning last fall. Friends knew him simply as Sean, whose fun-loving, jokester side was the direct opposite of his meticulous, almost solemn approach to flight safety. 'He was the type to cross his T's and dot his I's,' said a friend, Bobbie Rose-Smith. 'He never took his job lightly,' she said. 'No matter where he was or what he was flying, he was going to know that helicopter inside and out.' He also used his aviation career as a way to continually relocate around the country, Rose-Smith said. He moved to New York City to fly for New York Helicopters, which sees a steady stream of tourists seeking an exhilarating ride and view of the city from on high. On Thursday, around 3 p.m., Johnson's passengers were Agustín Escobar, Mercè Camprubí Montal and their three children — Agustín, 10, Mercè, 8, and Víctor, 4. Photos on the New York Helicopter Tours website show the family smiling in front of the aircraft at the helipad — on the East River near Wall Street — and when strapped in. Johnson can be seen at the controls. He took them past the Statue of Liberty and headed north over the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge. Heading back south, Johnson had just passed the site of the 'Miracle on the Hudson' landing, where, in 2009, Chesley Sullenberger, who is known as Sully, successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the river with no casualties. Then, according to witness and video accounts, Johnson's helicopter seemed to detach from its rotor, with the body slamming into the river so hard that a boom was heard for miles. 'It had to be some malfunction or something, or some kind of freak thing because he would have been able to see the signs and handle anything routine,' Louis Johnson said by phone Friday. 'He's the person you want in that pilot seat,' he said. 'He was committed, and he knew what he was doing. He was not new to this at all.' Louis Johnson said he felt strongly that, 'with Sean, it would not have been a pilot error.' He said his son grew up in Chicago and began flying small planes and then got taken up by a friend in a helicopter, 'and he just fell in love with it.' Laith Mugrabi, one of the pilot's brothers-in-law, said Johnson 'wanted to fly helicopters everywhere.' 'He was like a bird,' he said. 'He wanted to be up in the air.' 'He knew what he was doing,' Mugrabi added. 'I went up flying with him in a heartbeat because I trusted him.' Johnson's wife, Kathryn Johnson, did not return messages Friday. Kathryn Johnson filed for divorce in 2022 but it has not been finalized. In the Navy, Sean Johnson served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, an aircraft carrier, largely fueling jets, and assisted with a rescue mission after the 2011 tsunami in Japan, according to a friend, Niko Tiapula, who served with him. After transitioning to the Naval Reserves, Johnson, a fitness buff and bodybuilder, would train with friends who were Navy SEALs, Tiapula said. Johnson earned his certifications and instrument ratings as a helicopter pilot while earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southern Utah University in 2023, a decade after beginning his training at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to his LinkedIn page. His job experience included flying missions on Chinook helicopters for Billings Flying Service in Montana last year to help fight wildfires in California. Previously, he worked for the Heli-1 company flying Blackhawks, a type of helicopter used in the military and in aerial firefighting. On Thursday, Johnson was flying a Bell 206L LongRanger, a single-engine staple of sightseeing tours, police departments and traffic news choppers. A video he recently posted on his LinkedIn page titled 'Good morning, New York City' shows him at the controls on what would have been a typical tourist flight route over the Hudson River. Passing lower Manhattan and the gleaming Freedom Tower to his right, he cradled the control stick in his right hand and tended to the control panel with his left. 'When it all comes together,' he posted as a caption on the same video, but on his Facebook page. Rose-Smith said that 'he understood the risks of his job, but for him, the rewards outweighed the risks.' 'He finally got to do what he wanted to do and he was just living the dream,' she said. Originally Published:
New York Times
11-04-2025
- General
- New York Times
A Tragic End After a Helicopter Pilot's Fresh Start
'Living the dream.' That was how Seankese Johnson, 36, described his new career as a New York City commercial helicopter pilot, flying sightseeing tours around Manhattan. The phrase was the headline atop his LinkedIn page on Friday, even as news spread among loved ones that he was the pilot of the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing him and a family of five tourists from Spain. His father, Louis Johnson, said on Friday that his son had moved to New York just this year for 'a new chapter in his life.' Mr. Johnson had recently begun flying chopper tours after obtaining his commercial license in 2023 and gaining experience flying heavier-duty helicopters. He flew them on fire rescue missions in California and on agricultural projects in Virginia among other stints, according to his résumé and his loved ones. More recently Mr. Johnson, a U.S. Navy veteran, began to combine a convivial personality with his love of aviation, taking a job flying sightseeing tours in his native Chicago beginning last fall. Friends knew him simply as Sean, whose fun-loving, jokester side was the direct opposite of his meticulous, almost solemn approach to flight safety. 'He was the type to cross his T's and dot his I's,' a friend, Bobbie Rose-Smith, said. 'He never took his job lightly,' she said. 'No matter where he was or what he was flying, he was going to know that helicopter inside and out.' He also used his aviation career as a way to constantly relocate around the country, Ms. Rose-Smith said. He moved to New York City to fly for New York Helicopters, which sees a steady stream of tourists seeking an exhilarating ride and view of the city from on high. On Thursday afternoon, around 3 p.m., Mr. Johnson's passengers were Agustín Escobar, Mercè Camprubí Montal and their three children — Agustín, 10, Mercè, 8, and Víctor, 4. Photos on the New York Helicopter Tours website show the family smiling in front of the aircraft and when strapped in at the helipad, on the East River near Wall Street. Mr. Johnson can be seen at the controls. He took them past the Statue of Liberty and headed north over the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge. Heading back south, Mr. Johnson had just passed the site of the 'Miracle on the Hudson' landing where, in 2009, Chesley Sullenberger, who is known as Sully, successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the river with no casualties. Then, according to witness and video accounts, Mr. Johnson's helicopter seemed to detach from its rotor, with the body slamming into the river so hard that a boom was heard for miles. 'It had to be some malfunction or something, or some kind of freak thing because he would have been able to see the signs and handle anything routine,' Louis Johnson, his father, said by phone on Friday. 'He's the person you want in that pilot seat,' he said. 'He was committed and he knew what he was doing. He was not new to this at all.' The father said he felt strongly that, 'with Sean, it would not have been a pilot error.' He said his son grew up in Chicago and began flying small planes and then got taken up by a friend in a helicopter, 'and he just fell in love with it.' Laith Mugrabi, one of Sean Johnson's brothers-in-law, said Mr. Johnson 'wanted to fly helicopters everywhere.' 'He was like a bird,' he said. 'He wanted to be up in the air.' 'He knew what he was doing,' Mr. Mugrabi added. 'I went up flying with him in a heartbeat because I trusted him.' In the Navy, Mr. Johnson served aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, an aircraft carrier, largely fueling jets, and assisted with a rescue mission after the 2011 tsunami in Japan, according to a friend, Niko Tiapula, who served with him. After transitioning to the Naval Reserves, Mr. Johnson, a fitness buff and bodybuilder, would train with friends who were Navy SEALs, Mr. Tiapula said. Mr. Johnson earned his certifications and instrument ratings as a helicopter pilot while earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Southern Utah University in 2023, a decade after beginning his training at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., according to his LinkedIn page. His job experience included flying missions on Chinook helicopters for Billings Flying Service in Montana last year to help fight wildfires in California. Previously, he worked for the Heli-1 company flying Blackhawks, a type of helicopter used in the military and in aerial firefighting. On Thursday Mr. Johnson was flying a Bell 206L LongRanger, a single-engine staple of sightseeing tours, police departments and traffic news choppers. A video he recently posted on his LinkedIn page titled 'Good morning, New York City' shows him at the controls on what would have been a typical tourist flight route over the Hudson River. Passing Lower Manhattan and the gleaming Freedom Tower to his right, he cradled the control stick in his right hand and tended to the control panel with his left. 'When it all comes together,' he posted as a caption on the same video, but on his Facebook page. Ms. Rose-Smith said 'he understood the risks of his job, but for him the rewards outweighed the risks.' 'He finally got to do what he wanted to do and he was just living the dream,' she said.
