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 risks by planning flights with emergency landing options, filing flight plans/using flight following, and thoroughly briefing passengers on safety procedures (without inducing panic).
- During an emergency, practice is crucial; troubleshoot issues, select the safest available landing zone (e.g., airports, flat fields, avoiding hazards), and prepare the aircraft and occupants for impact (e.g., tighten seatbelts, unlatch doors, shut off fuel/master switch).
- After an unscheduled landing, follow the ABCs of survival: Assess injuries, Be calm, and Check supplies from your survival kit, remembering that mental preparedness is key until help arrives.
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