NEW YORK, March 3 (UPI) -- Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who crash landed a plane in New York last year with no injuries, is retiring, airline officials said Wednesday.
Capt. Sullenberger, 59, of Charlotte, N.C., became a national hero on Jan. 15, 2009, after landing a disabled U.S. Airways plane, with 150 passengers aboard, on the Hudson River, the New York Daily News reported.
The plane hit a flock of geese and lost power shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh, 59, who assisted in guiding the passengers safely onto the wings of the plane as it stood in the river, also is retiring, the airline said.
"I am extremely proud of Captain Sullenberger and Doreen for their quick thinking and courageous actions on January 15, 2009," said Doug Parker, a U.S. Airways spokesman. "We will miss them and we thank them for all they have given to our customers during their years of service with our airline."
