‘Brace for impact!’ Being prepared for the unexpected landing

A retired Air Force colonel gives tips on surviving an emergency evacuation.

“Brace for impact!” Translation: “Our flight is about to end sooner than you planned, at a location other than an airport and the first part of the plane to touch down ‘ain’t gonna be the wheels!’” The equation is about to change. Your number of take-offs will no longer equal your landings.

That was the pilot’s terrifying order to the passengers on U.S. Airways flight 1549 shortly after departing LaGuardia Airport in New York City on January 15. Moments later they were in the Hudson River.

Richard Dolinar

At least they had a warning.

On Dec. 20, 2008, the passengers on board Continental flight 1404 leaving Denver did not. On take-off roll, their plane suddenly veered off of the runway and burst into flames.

Everyone miraculously survived both crashes. What can you do to increase your chances of survival should something disastrous occur on your flight?

Flight preparedness

Let’s start with the preflight briefing. No matter how many times you have heard it, listen again. While you listen, look around you. Situational awareness and planning ahead are the keys to surviving an aircraft accident. Size up your fellow passengers. Look not only for the exits on the plane, but look at who is sitting next to them. Will they be able to handle those window exits, which can weigh up to 50 lb? The passenger on the left a few rows up, for any number of reasons, might impede your access to the forward exits. The mother with two small children across the aisle from you might need your help during a rapid evacuation.

Take note of where your seat is. How many rows are you from the nearest exit? Studies have shown that those passengers within three rows of an exit have the best chance of surviving a forced landing or ground abort. Because flames can totally envelope an aircraft within 90 seconds of crashing, there may only be scant seconds to evacuate, as in the Denver crash. If you are more than five rows from an exit, your chances of survival drop considerably. Often times, the safest seats are in the last few rows of the aircraft because their occupants are the last to “arrive” at the crash site, after most of the kinetic energy has been dissipated.

When traveling with small children always have them beside you in a seat, a car seat if necessary, in the window row. Infants should never be held on laps because they become projectiles when airplanes ground abort, hit unexpected air turbulence during flight or have hard landings. When four or more family members are traveling, it is best to sit tandem: two behind two, rather than four seats abreast.

Be aware of explosive decompression. This is what the phrase, “should the aircraft lose pressurization, an oxygen mask will drop down,” refers to. If this occurs at a high altitude you will have less than nine seconds of useful consciousness. Initially there will be a loud “bang!” as air goes rushing out of the cabin. A cloud, obscuring your vision, will form immediately as moisture is sucked out of the air. Because it will stun you, you will be incapacitated for three to five seconds leaving only four to six seconds to get your mask on before you start wondering if the pilot got his on in time! The child’s mask goes on after yours.

Check your luggage at the gate. Years ago, when safety took precedence over convenience, the overhead racks could only be used to stow soft light-weight items such as hats and coats. There was concern that anything large, hard or heavy could fall from the overhead rack and injure passengers; not so today. During a flight my sister was on, a bowling ball fell out of the overhead rack and rolled down the aisle! Thus, window or middle seats are preferable. Putting your roller-board suitcase in the overhead might save you a few minutes upon arrival at your destination but it could cost you precious seconds and potentially your life in a crash. In a darkened and smoke-filled cabin, you might not be aware of your black suitcase obstructing the aisle until you fall over it as you rush for the exit.

Wear lace-up shoes so that when you are running through a burning aircraft they will stay on your feet. No flip-flops or skimpy clothing, even if you are going on vacation. Exposed skin is much more likely to be harmed by intense heat or cold. Pantyhose can melt to the skin, so leave them in your suitcase.

Reach down, locate and touch your survival vest. Many in the New York City crash evacuated the aircraft without one!

Stay alert on take-offs and landings. Eighty percent of accidents occur during the first three minutes of take-offs and the last eight minutes of landings. Don’t start reading yet, keep your window shade up and pay attention. Ratchet your seat belt down tight in order to prevent your head from hitting the overhead compartments, as happened in the above crashes, then loosen it later at cruising altitude.

“How does this apply to me? This will never happen to me!” Really?

Ask Donald C. Jones, CEO, of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. After attending a thyroid meeting in New York, he boarded flight 1549. Moments later he was in the frigid Hudson River swimming for his life. Fortunately he survived.

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that on average an emergency evacuation occurs every two weeks. Will you be ready when your pilot orders: “Brace for impact!”?

Richard Dolinar, MD, is a Senior Fellow in Healthcare Policy at the Heartland Institute, Chicago, a clinical endocrinologist in private practice, Phoenix, and a member of the Endocrine Today Editorial Board.

Dr. Dolinar is also a retired Air Force Colonel. He served as a flight surgeon and air crew member on military fighters and other aircraft for more than 20 years. He was trained and participated in aircraft accident investigations.

For more information:

• The National Transportation Safety Board. Safety study: Emergency evacuation of commercial airplanes. Doc: NTSB SS-00/01.