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William Langewiesche: 'Miracle on the Hudson'

Last January 15, a US Airways jet had just taken off from New Yorks LaGuardia Airport when it was struck by a flock of geese, destroying both engines. Over the next three minutes, the planes pilot, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, managed to glide the jet to a safe landing in the Hudson River.

It was an instant media sensation. The "Miracle on the Hudson"and Captain Sully was a hero. But how much of the happy ending can actually be credited to the pilot? To what extent is the "miracle" the result of extraordinary but not widely known, and in some cases quite controversial advances in aviation and computer technology?

In his latest book, Fly By Wire, Vanity Fair foreign correspondent (and pilot) William Langewiesche explores the world of advanced aviation and assembles the untold stories necessary to truly understand the "miracle," questioning our assumptions about the role of human decision-making in modern aviation.

Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life with University Book Store. Series supported by The Boeing Company and RealNetworks Foundation.