Emergency Landing: Why You Shouldn’t Panic When Planes Make Unexpected Landings

After a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines flight, sparking safety concerns, many travelers grew anxious. However, an emergency landing is often a precautionary measure and rarely poses a serious risk. Adding to the anxiety, news articles have frequently highlighted various emergency landings in the months following the incident.

In fact, it is extremely rare for anyone to be injured or killed in a commercial flight, especially in the U.S., including on Boeing planes. The major U.S. airlines have achieved a remarkable safety streak, with no fatal crashes occurring on domestic flights in the past 15 years. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages 45,000 flights per day, accommodating nearly 2.9 million passengers, and data from the National Transportation Safety Board shows that only a few issues arise on commercial flights each month.

While a headline about an aircraft emergency landing might seem alarming, pilots view such incidents differently. “Things that appear really dramatic to non-aviation folks, in a lot of ways, really are not,” explains Shawn Pruchnicki, an aviation professor at Ohio State University and a former commercial pilot.

Planes Are Designed with Redundancy to Ensure Safety

Aeroplanes are built with multiple layers of safety in mind, which means having backups for critical components. For example, in March, a plane departing from San Francisco lost a wheel after takeoff. Despite the problem, the landing plane was safely diverted to Los Angeles, where it touched down without incident. This was possible because the landing gear includes at least two wheels for each section, so if one wheel fails, the other can still function effectively.

This concept, known as redundancy, extends beyond the wheels. Commercial jets typically have three generators to power electrical systems like reading lights and flight displays. The aircraft’s landing safety is further enhanced by multiple air data computers that calculate crucial metrics such as airspeed and altitude, as well as hydraulic systems for operating flight controls. Additionally, the cabin’s pressurization systems are designed with backup capabilities to ensure passengers can breathe comfortably at high altitudes.

Most modern passenger aircraft have two engines and can fly long distances with just one functioning. In some cases, even when both engines fail, planes can still glide down safely. The most famous example of this was the aeroplane landing on the Hudson River in 2009 when Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely landed an Airbus A320 in the water after the aircraft hit a flock of geese, saving everyone on board.

Pilots and Cabin Crews Are Trained for Emergencies

In addition to the aircraft’s design, pilots and flight attendants undergo extensive training to prepare for various emergency scenarios. Pilots practice handling situations like flying with one engine, landing in low visibility, and dealing with onboard fires using flight simulators. According to Douglas Boyd, an aviation research professor who runs a fear-of-flying program in Houston, training for these scenarios is routine for pilots, making them well-prepared for aircraft emergency landings.

Cabin crew members also play a vital role in ensuring passenger safety during emergencies. While passengers often associate flight attendants with serving drinks and snacks, their primary responsibility is to maintain safety. “There’s a big misconception about what flight attendants do,” says Anthony Brickhouse, a professor of aerospace safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Flight attendants are trained to manage evacuations, operate emergency systems such as oxygen masks, and use equipment like life rafts and fire extinguishers.

Not All Emergency Landings Are Actually Emergencies

Despite the dramatic tone often used in the media, not all emergency landings are actual emergencies. Pilots usually refer to these situations as “diversions” when a plane is forced to land at an airport other than its original destination, often as a precaution. The term “emergency landing” suggests a plane is in imminent danger, but in many cases, it’s more about being cautious than facing a life-threatening situation.

For example, in 2019, a British Airways flight emergency landing occurred due to a suspected technical issue. The plane safely diverted to a nearby airport, but there was never any real danger to the passengers. These kinds of events are common in aviation and are part of a precautionary approach to safety.

How Common Are Airplane Crashes?

A key concern for many travellers is how often planes crash. Fortunately, the statistics are reassuring. The chances of a plane crash are incredibly low, with data showing that the odds of being involved in a fatal accident on a commercial flight are roughly 1 in 11 million. In the U.S., the last 15 years have seen a perfect safety record for major airlines, with no fatal crashes involving commercial passenger jets.

Additionally, with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 planes in the air at one time, the number of incidents compared to the volume of flights is remarkably small. Most safety events involve minor issues that pilots are trained to handle without any significant threat to passengers.

The Reality Behind Emergency Landings: Safety First

When you hear about an airplane emergency landing, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the aircraft is in serious trouble. More often, it’s a safety measure taken to address a potential issue before it becomes a real problem. Pilots are trained to err on the side of caution, diverting the plane if they detect anything unusual, whether it’s a minor technical issue, a medical emergency, or a situation like a wheel going flat after takeoff.

For instance, modern aircraft are equipped with multiple engines, and if one fails, the other can still safely bring the plane down. In the rare event that both engines stop, as seen in the famous aeroplane landing on the Hudson River, pilots have the skills and tools to glide the aircraft to a safe landing.

What Are the Chances of a Plane Crashing in 2024?

Looking ahead, the odds of experiencing a plane crash remain extremely low. Aviation safety technology continues to improve, and training programs for pilots and crews are more rigorous than ever. With advanced simulators and emergency preparedness, pilots are better equipped to handle unexpected situations, making emergency landings routine rather than life-threatening.

Planes Are Built for Safety, Even Without Engine Power

While the thought of an aircraft landing without engine power may seem frightening, modern aircraft are designed to glide for long distances without propulsion. This capability is part of the redundancy built into aviation safety. Whether it’s an aeroplane landing on a runway or gliding to a safe landing on water, pilots have protocols in place to ensure the safety of passengers in the unlikely event of an engine failure.

Emergency Landings vs. Routine Landings: What’s the Difference?

The aviation industry uses specific terminology to differentiate between types of landings. While the media may refer to a situation as an aircraft emergency landing, pilots typically consider it a diversion. Routine plane landing happens every day, with only a tiny fraction involving any sort of precautionary landing. These landings are conducted under the direction of air traffic control, ensuring that every aircraft arrives safely.

Conclusion

The aviation industry’s safety record speaks for itself. While emergency landings may sound dramatic, they are more often than not precautionary measures taken to ensure passenger safety. With built-in redundancy in aircraft design, extensive pilot training, and safety-focused cabin crew members, flying remains one of the safest modes of travel. As advancements in aviation technology continue, passengers can rest assured that even in the rare event of an airplane emergency landing, safety is always the top priority.

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