The Art of Post-Crash Survival

The why doesn’t matter. It could be catastrophic engine failure, a mid-air, a broken fuel line or a severe downdraft, forcing you to the ground. The punchline is you’ve crashed, off-airport and in a rural location. If you followed all the advice in last month’s article, “The Art of Crashing,” the aircraft’s impact was at a low angle, at a low speed and you didn’t have too much downward g-loading, minimizing the chance of spinal compression injuries. What was once a capable flying machine now is spread across a nice long debris field, meaning you stretched out the crash and dissipated energy over a good distance.

Key Takeaways:

• Upon impact, prioritize immediate self-extrication and moving a safe distance from the aircraft due to high post-crash fire risk, while maintaining situational awareness and avoiding panic.
• Expedite rescue by filing flight plans, ensuring your ELT is functional, and carrying accessible backup communication devices like cellphones or personal locator beacons (PLBs).
• Prepare for delayed rescue by focusing on basic survival priorities (signaling, shelter, water, fire), staying near the crash site, and relying on training, situational awareness, and a strong will to survive.

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