The One-Time Water Landing

You can't practice ditching a wheeled aircraft, so you must get it right.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, September 13, 2024 at 09:10 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Most information about ditching comes from interviewing colleagues who have done it. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Ditching, a controlled emergency landing on water, requires significant mental preparation and adherence to specific procedures to maximize survival chances, as demonstrated by the "Miracle on the Hudson" and other pilot experiences.
Real-world ditching accounts emphasize critical survival factors, including rigorous pre-impact preparation (securing oneself, preparing exits, briefing passengers), carrying essential safety tools like seatbelt cutters, and understanding post-impact egress techniques from a submerged aircraft.
Pilots flying over water should continuously prepare for a potential ditching by studying comprehensive guidelines (e.g., AIM Chapter 6), considering various landing conditions, and participating in water survival courses to enhance readiness and execution.

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On January 15, 2009, approximately two minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport (KGLA) in New York, US Airways Flight 1549 encountered a flock of birds. Several were ingested into the two engines, resulting in a nearly complete loss of thrust.

Out of power, altitude and options, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and copilot Jeffrey Skiles ditched the aircraft in the Hudson River near midtown Manhattan. There were 155 souls on board. There were injuries but no loss of life, and the term “Miracle on the Hudson” was coined since it was viewed as one of the most successful ditchings ever performed.