‘Hudson Miracle’ Pilot Capt. Sully Calls It Quits

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who piloted a US Airways flight during its emergency water landing on the Hudson River in January of last year, is retiring Wednesday.

Sullenberger, 59, joined US Airways’ predecessor airline in 1980.

Flight attendant Doreen Welsh, who was also on Flight 1549 when it landed in the Hudson, is also retiring. Welsh, 59, joined US Airways’ predecessor airline in 1970.

All 150 passengers survived the emergency river landing in January 2009 when the plane’s engines were struck by birds.