Against the Odds Launch Text

Against the Odds Launch Text

By Lisa Quirke

Part 1

¹ "If you have to ditch a commercial aircraft in the Hudson River," the news anchor joked, "this is the guy you want."​

²The "guy" was US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, a 57-year-old Air Force fighter pilot and a 29-year veteran of US Airways.

³ On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was the pilot on US Airways Flight 1549 from New York's LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina.

⁴ Flight 1549 left the tarmac at 3:25 P.M. Sullenberger thought he was in for an average flight -- a routine, everyday trip.

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Multiple Choice

Who is the main character?

• Timmy

• Bobby

• Sully

• Sammy

Multiple Choice

What is the setting of this story?

Setting: when and where the story took place

• January 15, 2009

• New York

• LaGuardia Airport

• All of the above

Part 2

⁵ The flight was unremarkable for the first 90 seconds. Then something caught the eye of the copilot Jeff Skiles. At 3,000 feet, he saw a flock of Canadian geese headed toward the plane. Moments later the geese struck the fuselge, wings, and engine.​

⁶ The 150 passengers felt a powerful thud against the airplane, followed by sever vibrations from the engine. One passenger said it sounded like sneakers thumping around in a dryer. There was a loud explosion. The cabin filled with smoke. There was a horrible smell and then an eerie quiet: both engines were disabled.

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Multiple Choice

What hit the plane?

• Canadian Geese

• Another airplane

• An eagle

• Lightening

Open Ended

What do you think will happen to the airplane and the passengers since a flock of Canadian Geese have hit the airplane?

Part 3

⁷ Sullenberger made a Mayday radio call to air traffic control and calmly explained the situation. They discussed the options. The plane could either return to LaGuardia Airport or Teterboro Airport to New Jersey.

⁸ Sullenberger​ knew the situation was too dire for the plane to stay in the air long enough for either plan to be successful. He had about 30 seconds to find an alternative. The pilot decided on a radical move. He'd ditch the plane in the Hudson River -- despite the fact that passenger jets are not built to land on water.

Multiple Choice

Where did air traffic control want Sully to go?

Where did he think would be the best place to land?

• New York; Lake Michigan

• New Jersey; The Great Lakes

• New York; The Arkansas River

• New Jersey; The Hudson River

Open Ended

Think-Pair-Share

Why do you think Sully might want to land in the Hudson River instead of trying to make it to the New Jersey Airport?

After typing your answer, share answers with a partner. Explain why you choose your answer.

​

Part 4

⁹ "Brace for impact!" came the captain's voice over the intercom. A hush fell over the passengers. They thought they were going to die.

¹⁰ Sullenberger​ lowered the plane's nose in a gradual glide toward the river. The plane managed to clear the George Washington Bridge and, against the odds, land safely on the surface of the Hudson. It skidded across the water at 145 mph and finally slowed to a stop.

¹¹ "He was thinking in nanoseconds," said a former airline pilot, speaking of Sullenberger. "He made all the right choices at all the right times. He might have been staring at the instruments, but he was feeling that airplane in his hands. He picked his landing spot and went for it."

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Poll

If the captain of an airplane said, "brace for impact," which of the following would be closest to your reaction?

• Panic mode!! Screaming, crying, shaking the stranger sitting next to you.

• Calm, cool and collected! Checking your seatbelt and making sure those around you are okay.

• Shock! Can't speak, can't move, just staring forward and following directions.

• Scared! I'd be hiding under my seat.

Part 5

¹² Now Sullenberger's job was to get the people off the plane, which was quickly filling up with water.

​¹³ Witnesses were convinced that everyone on Flight 1549 was dead. What they couldn't see ws that passengers were already exiting the plane. With water seeping into the plane, Sullenberger and Skiles walked the length of the cabin twice, calling, "Is anyone there?" The water was so cold they had to walk on top of the seats. But they would not leave the plane until they were sure everyone was out.

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Part 6

¹⁴ "He's the man," said one of the rescued passengers. "If you want to talk to a hero, get a hold of him."

¹⁵ After all the thanking was over, Sullenberger was humble. "You're welcome," he said simply. Like most heroes, he didn't want the label. According to him, he was just doing his job.

​¹⁶ But 154 men, women and children owed their lives to a modest man who faced adversity with cool competence on one of the most remarkable days in aviation history.

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Poll

Would you ever ride on an airplane again after this experience?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe after some time has passed.

Open Ended

Write a summary of "Against the Odds." A summary is a concise, complete, and accurate overview of a text. It should not include a statement of your opinion or an analysis.

Use the paragraph frame if needed.

In the story "Against the Odds" the main character, ______, had a conflict while _______________. He dealt with this conflict by ___________________. Even though it was difficult, this character showed perseverance which helped him ___________________.

Poll

Let the People Decide!

Consider this statement: Chesley Sullenberger wasn't really a hero because, as he himself said, facing adversity was part of his job.

• Strongly Agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly Disagree

Open Ended

How can people overcome adversity in the face of overwhelming obstacles?

Adversity = difficulties, misfortune

Vocabulary Check

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Open Ended

How did Sully deviate from the Control Tower suggestions to safely land the plane?

Open Ended

How did Sully demonstrate perseverance and determination in this situation?

Open Ended

In Part 2, what does the word unremarkable mean as it is used in the text?

"The flight was unremarkable for the first 90 seconds."

Open Ended

In Part 3, what does the word dire mean as it is used in the text?

"Sullenberger​ knew the situation was too dire for the plane to stay in the air long enough for either plan to be successful."