Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Engaging Marketeer. Today, I have the incredible honor of speaking with Dave Sanderson, a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 — the flight that famously landed on the Hudson River in 2009, an event immortalised in the film Sully starring Tom Hanks.
Dave was instrumental in helping other passengers to safety and was the last passenger off the plane. We’ll dive into his experiences, leadership lessons, and how that day changed his life. Dave, welcome to the podcast.
Dave: Thank you, Darren. It’s an honor to be here and share this story with you and your audience.
Darren: Let’s start at the beginning. January 15, 2009, was no ordinary day for you. Can you walk us through how it began?
Dave: Absolutely. It started as a typical business day. I was working at a distribution center in New York City, focused on optimizing their systems. We started early, around 5 a.m., and by 10 a.m., the trucks were out, and we were done. I was looking forward to heading home earlier than planned. My original flight was a 5 p.m. departure, but I managed to move it up to Flight 1549. Funny enough, I wasn’t even supposed to be on that flight.
Darren: That’s incredible — just fate or chance. When did you realise this day was going to be far from ordinary?
Dave: It was shortly after takeoff. I was in seat 15A, four rows behind the left wing, so I had a clear view. About three minutes into the flight, I heard a loud boom and saw flames coming from the left engine. My initial thought was, “No big deal.” Planes are built to handle engine failures, so I assumed we’d turn back to LaGuardia. What none of us knew was that both engines had gone out simultaneously after a bird strike.
Darren: What was the reaction among passengers?
Dave: Surprisingly, people were calm but moving quickly. The term I used that night with CBS News was “controlled chaos,” and it was just that. Everyone executed their roles instinctively. Business professionals made up the majority of the passengers, and I think their ability to stay composed played a huge role in what followed. There was no pushing or shouting — just teamwork.
Darren: It’s amazing that everyone managed to stay so composed. What was Captain Sullenberger’s role in keeping it all together?
Dave: He was remarkable. In a matter of seconds, he assessed the situation and made the call to land in the Hudson River. He had four options: the ocean, Teterboro Airport, returning to LaGuardia or the Hudson. He chose the Hudson because it offered the safest landing path. His quick decision-making and execution saved all 155 people onboard.
Darren:
When the plane hit the water, what was going through your mind?
Dave: As soon as we landed, water started rushing into the plane. The back was already submerged, and we knew time was limited. My focus was on getting everyone to safety. I managed the door on the right side of the plane and held onto the lifeboat to stop it from drifting away in the strong current. It was freezing—36-degree water—but we kept moving. A woman froze on the wing, blocking others from moving forward. I had to yell to snap her out of it, and another passenger pulled her onto the lifeboat so others could pass.
Darren: The rescue effort was incredible. How quickly did help arrive?
Dave: Within two minutes, New York Waterway ferries were there. Their CEO, Arthur Imperatore, made the call to send them out. These ferries were already queued for rush hour, so they were in the right place at the right time. The coordination between New York and New Jersey emergency teams was seamless—a plan approved just a week prior to the incident.
Darren: What happened after everyone was off the plane?
Dave: I was one of two passengers who stayed overnight in the hospital. I had hypothermia, and it took five hours for my body temperature to return to normal. Barry, another passenger, had a fractured sternum. The rest went home, but we were interviewed by authorities and the media all night. The next day, I was back on a plane to return home.
Darren: You mentioned you worked closely with Tony Robbins before this incident. How did his teachings influence how you handled this situation?
Dave: Working as Tony’s head of security for over 10 years taught me invaluable lessons about mindset and leadership. One of his key teachings is “proximity is power.” By staying close to someone with expertise, you absorb their knowledge. Tony also pushed me to step into a speaking role after the crash, which was life-changing. His lessons on maintaining focus and managing fear were instrumental that day on the Hudson.
Darren:
What leadership lessons do you now share with others?
Dave: Two key lessons stand out: the importance of making decisive choices and leading through example. On the plane, passengers naturally assumed leadership roles based on their strengths. My role was managing the door and lifeboat. Others helped guide people onto the wing. Leadership isn’t about controlling everything — it’s about stepping up where you’re needed and trusting others to do the same.
Darren: You’ve turned this experience into a platform for speaking and mentoring. Can you tell us more about your programs?
Dave: I focus on resilience, leadership and what I call post-traumatic growth. My workshops and talks help businesses and individuals find strategies to thrive after adversity. I also run an online course and publish a magazine, Moments Matter, where I highlight stories of overcoming challenges. It’s all about helping people turn moments of crisis into opportunities for growth.
Darren: Speaking of opportunities to reflect, you recently marked the 15th anniversary of the Miracle on the Hudson. What was that like for you?
Dave: It was incredibly moving. On January 15, 2024, we brought together first responders, passengers, and crew members for a commemorative event in New York City. It was the first time we had so many of the key players in one room, sharing their stories. I was particularly struck by hearing from the New Jersey and New York emergency management teams about how their newly approved joint response plan played a crucial role in the rescue. That plan was finalised just a week before the crash. It reminded me of how every piece of this event had to align perfectly for it to truly be a miracle.
Darren: How did you feel looking back on that day with so many of the people involved?
Dave: It was a mix of gratitude and awe. Hearing everyone’s perspectives—from the passengers who were terrified to the rescuers who risked their lives—highlighted just how much teamwork went into this. Captain Sullenberger was also there, and it was amazing to hear him reflect on the decisions he made in those two critical minutes. It reinforced the idea that preparation and quick thinking can make all the difference in a crisis.
Darren: How can listeners connect with you or learn more about your work?
Dave: They can visit my website, DaveSandersonSpeaks.com, or follow me on LinkedIn. I post new content weekly, including blogs and updates on my workshops. My books and online courses are also available there.
Darren: Dave, thank you so much for sharing your incredible story and insights. You’re an inspiration to many, and it’s been an absolute honor to have you on the podcast.
Dave: Thank you, Darren. It’s been a pleasure.
Connect with Dave:
To discover more about Dave’s incredible story, or to reach out to him, follow the links below to get in touch.
Website: https://davesandersonspeaks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaveSandersonSpeaks?fref=ts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davesandersonspeaks/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBHCyUegzBIT0DtbPO8cUA
X: https://x.com/DaveSanderson2
About your host:
Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/
Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com
Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk