Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the 75-year-old retired US Airways captain who executed the emergency Hudson River landing of Flight 1549 saving 155 lives, publicly disclosed on 14 July 2026 he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease in August 2025. He revealed the condition via a statement on his personal website to support families facing similar diagnoses and is currently receiving treatment. As a leading aviation safety advocate since retiring in 2010, Sullenberger’s disclosure underscores the critical need for early screening and management protocols among older aviation professionals, particularly those with operational decision-making responsibilities. His legacy includes decades of safety advocacy following the bird strike that disabled both engines of the Airbus A320 shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia.