On a cold January afternoon, Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles take off from New York's LaGuardia Airport in US Airways Flight 1549. Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 2,800 feet, the Airbus A320 hits a flock of Canada geese, which disables both engines. With no power and unable to reach any nearby airport, Sully makes the risky but split-second decision to attempt an emergency water landing on the freezing Hudson River. Miraculously, the maneuver succeeds, and all 155 passengers and crew members are safely evacuated. Dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson," Sully quickly becomes a national hero; however, his feat is overshadowed by looming investigations that threaten to destroy his reputation and career.

Facing an inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Sully endures questioning and simulations aimed to scrutinize his judgment and the emergency procedures he followed. The inquiry suggests he might have been able to make it back to a nearby airfield and puts his career at risk by hinting at pilot error. Haunted by the incident and second-guessing his own actions, Sully tries to navigate the media circus and public spotlight while holding onto his integrity. He finds support from his co-pilot, Skiles, and his wife, Lorraine, as they collectively endure the pressures and uncertainties of the investigation. While Sully stands firm in the belief that he made the only choice possible, he must prove that his miraculous landing was the result of skill and not just pure luck.