Buffalo MN Airport

WINGS OF MERCY BENEFIT FEATURES
‘MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON’ HEROES

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Two heroes of the emergency landing of Flight 1549 into the icy waters of the Hudson River last January will visit the Twin Cities area this month to host a Wings of Mercy benefit and fundraiser.

WHAT: 14th Annual Fundraiser for Wings of Mercy, Minnesota Inc. Wings, a volunteer medical air transportation service where FAA certified pilots, licensed nurses and other health care professionals donate their time, planes and expertise, to transport patients in financial need to appropriate health care settings. Wings serves patients in Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin with approximately 300 flights annually. Tickets for the combination pig roast/air show cost $75.

WHO: Patrick Harten, who helped Flight 1549 Captain Chelsey (Sully) Sullenberger choose an emergency response, and Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh, who shepherded panicky passengers out of the rear of the aircraft.

WHY: To raise money to pay for aviation fuel for Wings flights. Fuel costs run approximately $750 per flight.

WHEN/WHERE: 6 P.M. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Buffalo Municipal Airport, Buffalo, Minn.

FOR DIRECTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Call 651-238-8920 or visit the Wings website at www.wingsofmercy.org.

“We would not have had as successful an outcome on January 15, 2009 without effective teamwork. First Officer Jeffrey Skiles and I were able to focus on the tasks at hand because we knew that Flight Attendants Doreen Welsh, Donna Dent and Sheila Dail were there to use their skill and experience to ensure the safety of our passengers, and air traffic controller Patrick Harten provided us with the assistance we needed to choose the best alternative. I am proud of what this team was able to accomplish and they have my gratitude.” - Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger III, “Miracle on the Hudson” Flight 1549