Patrick Harten is an American Air Traffic Controller who guided US Airways Flight 1549 to its successful ditching in the Hudson River.[1][2][3][4]

Harten was controlling arrivals and departures at New York's LaGuardia Airport on the day of the accident and was the only controller to have contact with the aircraft during the emergency sequence.[5][6][7] Despite offering the flight crew multiple runways at LaGuardia as well as options to land at Teterboro and Newark airports, Harten was also the first to know the Airbus A320 would ditch in the water. He did not learn that everyone had survived until an hour after the accident.[8][9][10]

Harten spent years of his career prior to flight 1549 working in the New York area. He worked Newark traffic before being moved to LaGuardia departure.[11]

Harten has openly discussed the mental anguish he experienced during and after the ordeal. He suffered from post-traumatic stress for months after the accident and sought therapy.[8][12][13][14]

Harten has been an Air Traffic Controller since at least 2004. His father was an air traffic controller as well.[15][16]

Personal life and education

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Harten is married and lives in Long Beach with his wife. He has three siblings.[17][18]

Harten earned a degree in chemistry from Stony Brook University before training to become an Air Traffic Controller in Alaska.[17]

Harten is an avid runner and triathlete who was completed the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and Ironman triathlons.[16][19]

In 2016, Harten founded a brewing company to make a personalized craft beer.[20]

Media

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Harten was portrayed by Patch Darragh in the 2016 Clint Eastwood film Sully.[21] Harten invited Darragh to observe an ATC shift before shooting the movie to help make Darragh's depiction more accurate.[20][22]

References

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  1. ^ "'We're like a family' — Miracle On Hudson flight controller bonds with passengers a decade later". New York Daily News. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  2. ^ "Air traffic controller reflects on 10 years since 'Miracle on the Hudson'". News 12 The Bronx. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  3. ^ "Air Traffic Controller of USAirways Flight 1549 Hudson River Landing "the Lowest Low I've Ever Felt"". CNN. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Friends of Flight 1549 Hit Hard by Hurricane Sandy Still Need Our Help". Sully Sullenberger. 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  5. ^ "Coming full circle, from the Miracle on the Hudson to the NYC Marathon". ESPN.com. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  6. ^ "Flight 1549: Controller thought ditching in Hudson spelled doom". WBTV. 13 February 2009. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  7. ^ Lowy, Joan; Sniffen, Michael J. (2009-02-25). "Controller thought Hudson landing was 'death sentence'". Boston.com. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  8. ^ a b "Pride, dread linger 10 years after Hudson River 'miracle'". Red Deer Advocate. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  9. ^ "Controller Patrick Harten talks about flight 1549". www.atc-network.com. 2009-02-24. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  10. ^ "Controller: Ditching jet in river spelled doom". NBC News. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  11. ^ "One Year After the 'Miracle on the Hudson,' an Exclusive Interview with Air Traffic Controller Patrick Harten". NYC Aviation. 18 January 2010. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  12. ^ Robbins, Liz (24 February 2009). "Air Traffic Controller Tells Gripping Tale of Hudson Landing". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  13. ^ "Hudson 'miracle' haunts air-traffic controller". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  14. ^ "Hudson River Splashdown Wrecked Air Traffic Controller | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
  15. ^ "Federal Employee Profile — Patrick F. Harten". FederalPay.org. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  16. ^ a b "'Sully,' air traffic controller set to reunite at NYC Marathon". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  17. ^ a b "On solid ground: 'Sully,' controller reunite at NYC Marathon". The Associated Press. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  18. ^ "Long Beach man was 1549's controller". Long Beach Herald. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  19. ^ "'Miracle on the Hudson' Air Traffic Controller Is Ready for His First New York Marathon". Runner's World. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  20. ^ a b "'Miracle' air traffic controller to open L.B. Brewing Co". LI Herald. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  21. ^ "What the 'Sully' Movie Gets Wrong". Condé Nast Traveler. 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  22. ^ "'Sully': The Air Traffic Controller's Story". Danny Glover. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-31.