US Air Safe Landing and Divine Providence

As you are no doubt aware, about two weeks ago a US Air jet lost its jet engines shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York City when the aircraft hit a flock of birds. The pilot unable to circle around for a landing successfully ditched his aircraft in the Hudson River. Not only were there no losses of life, but there were only a few minor injuries.

Today I received the following picture in an email.

The artist is depicting they made the safe landing only due to God's hand. Such a depiction and viewpoint is in keeping with my family and educational theological heritage. God's grace and providence is there even when people are not seeking Him and his intervention. The credit to the landing is therefore is more due God's more than the pilot's training, calmness and skills.

Though that is what my theological heritage tells me I should believe and think, I start to be uncomfortable diminishing the pilot's skills, character and training. If I underplay those things as well as general good fortune of having calm water nearby, what then does all those other crashes where all lives are lost say about God's providence and grace? What are we saying to the person who is not a Christian about all those other crashes when we say this positive outcome was all due to God's grace? Why do are we tend to downplay the human?

What are your thoughts?