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 water landing, requires extensive mental preparation and adherence to established procedures outlined in manuals like the AIM, as it cannot be physically practiced.
Real-world ditching incidents highlight the critical importance of specific emergency tools, such as seatbelt cutters, and thorough pre-flight briefings for passengers on safety gear and egress.
Pilots should consistently consider ditching when flying over water, training themselves and any passengers on appropriate actions during and after impact to maximize survival chances.
Successful ditching outcomes are significantly influenced by factors such as water conditions, precise pilot technique (e.g., a slightly tail-low attitude), and effective post-impact escape strategies.

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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.