Editor’s note: FLYING staff writer and CFI Meg Godlewski is an expert on survival techniques for pilots. She wrote the survival chapter of AOPA’s ground school for CFIs. In this two-part series, she counsels pilots on how to avoid the potential disasters of an unscheduled, off-airport landing, as well as how you can survive if one of those disasters happens to you. Read Part 1 here.
How to Survive An Unscheduled Off-Airport Landing
Key Takeaways:
- Minimize risk by proactively planning routes with emergency landing options, consistently filing flight plans and using flight following, and briefing passengers calmly on emergency egress procedures.
- Execute emergency landings by regularly practicing short-field approaches, landing immediately after an engine power loss (even if power seems restored), and choosing appropriate terrain (e.g., airports, flat fields, uphill in mountains, gear-up for soft surfaces/water).
- Post-landing, prioritize assessing injuries, maintaining composure, and utilizing a survival kit, understanding that rescue may be delayed and mental fortitude is crucial for survival.
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