Retired US Airways captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III publicly disclosed an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis received in August 2025, marking the first confirmation of cognitive decline in the aviation icon who saved 155 lives during the 2009 Hudson River ditching. At 75, Sullenberger reports mild symptoms including name retrieval difficulty and story forgetfulness while initiating treatment at UCSF Medical Center. His decision to share the diagnosis aims to reduce stigma and encourage families living in silence to seek evaluation, shifting his service focus from flight deck advocacy to disease awareness. Though retired, the announcement underscores human vulnerability in aviation leadership and may influence sector discussions on age-related cognitive monitoring protocols for active operators.