Controlled plane landings on water are known in the industry as ‘ditching,’
These are rare occurrences, as are crash-landings on water. However, landing in water is a scenario
that pilots and crew must train for. Let’s find out what happens when an airplane lands
in water... Some years ago, when Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger
(Sully) landed US Airways flight 1549 onto the Hudson River, the lack of fatalities and
responsiveness of crew was hailed a miracle. In the case of the Miracle on the Hudson,
the two pilots were able to land the A320 aircraft in just six minutes from the moment
a flock of birds struck the engines.
Where possible, pilots must try to prepare for their emergency water landing with the
following taken into consideration: Air vents should be shut to prevent water
seeping in. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority also recommends
that pilots land aircraft tail down. This will avoid a high impact on the nose of the
aircraft and potentially allow for better flotation.
It’s also best that aircraft land with their wings level and in a section of water that
is not too rough. When landing in the ocean, pilots should land
parallel to waves to avoid rougher movement of the water.
While all of the technical aspects of the water landing are taking place, a MAYDAY signal
should also be emitted.
In the case of Ethiopian Airlines flight 961 in 1996, hijackers attempted to force control
over the aircraft. The result was the pilots making a ditching attempt in the Indian Ocean
near the Comoros Islands during negotiation with the attackers.
Despite good intentions to land parallel with the waves, the aircraft banked left, causing
the left wing to strike the ocean first. The result was unplanned contact with a coral
reef, which caused the Boeing 767 to break as it entered the water.
In this situation, various parts of the fuselage sank rapidly. The crew could not carry out
emergency procedures quickly enough. Of the 175 passengers and crew members, 125 were
killed, including the three hijackers.
In the case of a stable landing on water, passengers and staff are then evacuated. There
is no single figure which dictates how much time crews have before the aircraft sinks,
but the structure of the plane will, in most cases, allow enough time. Aircraft evacuation
slides double as life rafts, mitigating the chance of hypothermia while awaiting rescue.
Once passengers and crew are evacuated, the closest suitable emergency crews will respond
to their distress signal. Very often, hospitalization will be required for some passengers and crew.
It’s a little known fact that despite no fatalities on the Hudson River, 100 out of
the 155 passengers were injured to some degree. So what happens to an empty aircraft after
landing on water? Well, the Airbus A320-200 that landed on the
Hudson was lifted from the river with giant cranes and is now in a museum.
However, when an aircraft breaks apart and rapidly sinks, the sections of the fuselage
may not be recovered depending on the depth of water. However, recovery equipment or divers
will likely be sent to find the wreckage to examine it for fatalities and collect evidence
for the investigation. You may not think that returning personal
belongings from a water crash is that worthwhile. After all, water-logged belongings are likely
to be severely damaged. However, salvaging possessions does happen. It can be a sentimental
thing for the families who have lost their loved ones in the crash.
In the US Airways ditch on the Hudson River, clothing, medallions, and car keys were returned.
And they were all said to be in reasonably good condition!