First Officer of the 'Miracle on the Hudson' Completes Service With American Airlines

Jeff Skiles, the First Officer who made history on US Airways Flight 1549, has moved into retirement after nearly 40 years of airline service.

Though Captain Sully has received most of the spotlight, Skiles played an instrumental role in the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ and continued to build his legacy as a pilot.

Skiles was born into a family of aviators and quickly learned to fly in a Tri-Pacer and Cessna 182. He flew as a mail, cargo, and charter pilot as well as being a flight instructor. In 1986, he earned his first airline career with US Airways.

On January 15, 2009, only two weeks after being certified in the aircraft, Skiles and Captain ‘Sully’ took off for regularly scheduled service from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Just two minutes after departure, the aircraft was struck by a flock of birds and experienced a total loss of thrust in both engines.

Around 8.5 miles out from the airport, Sully and Skiles were forced to put the aircraft down in the Hudson River. The aircraft was severely damaged and five people sustained serious injuries, but all 155 occupants survived. This was the first emergency water landing of a commercial jet with no fatalities.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger retired in 2010; however, Skiles continued to grow his career and became even more involved with the aviation community. He has served as Vice-Chair of the EAA Young Eagle Program, Vice-President of EAA Chapters and Youth Organizations. Skiles also advocated for safety as Vice-President of the Coalition of Airline Pilot Associations and as a member of the FAA's Rulemaking Committee.

After a long and inspirational career, Skiles took his final flight on November 17 in an American Airlines 787-9. He flew from London Heathrow (LHR) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

“As I have told you many times, I could not have had a better colleague that bitterly cold winter day on Flight 1549 or during all that came after it,” Capt. Sully told Skiles. “And through it all, your wry sense of humor always helped lighten even the darkest times. I wish you fair skies and following winds as you explore your next chapter.”

FMI: www.aa.com