Accidents can happen at any time.
Are you prepared to deal with them?
No matter how proficient we become as PIC's, life is just waiting to throw us a curve ball. That's why we wanted to write this article outlining some key information we should all be thinking about when we hop in the cockpit.
Whether a fire starts, the engine fails, or any other emergency ensues, think about your ABC's:
A: Airspeed
In an emergency (other than those involving fires,) pitch for your aircraft’s best glide speed. This speed can be located in the emergency procedures section of your aircraft’s operating handbook. Pitching for your best glide speed will gain you the most amount of time possible to make decisions in the cockpit. If your engine or anything near it happens to catch fire, first pitch to put out the flames, and then return to best glide speed.
B: Best place to land
Once you’ve pitched to best glide, start scouting out your landing spot. Nearby runways are the best choice, but are not always available. Next-best bets include long, flat stretches of roads, flat fields, and, if you’re on the central coast, wet-packed low tide sand strips. If a road calls to you, mind any powerlines upon descent. If a field is your fix, make sure to land with the grain (if it’s been plowed.) No matter which spot you choose, make sure to maintain best glide as you’re looking.
C: Checklist
If the aircraft is equipped with one, use a checklist to validate the preparatory steps you’ve already taken. If no checklist exists, reference the aircraft’s operating handbook for the ideal “flow,” or series of actions you can take in the event of an emergency. Curious about how to “flow” in the aircraft? We’ll cover that in an upcoming piece! Written directives not your style? You can always schedule an appointment with one of our CFI’s to go over “flow.”
D: Declare your emergency
Airspeed is set, landing spot has been chosen, checklist has been checked; now it’s time to let the world know that you’re having an emergency. Hop on the radios and let the tower controllers know where you are, what’s happening, and what you intend to do. If you’re not already on frequency with tower or flight following, declare your emergency on frequency 121.5. Make sure to squawk your emergency as well. Here are some codes to use:
7500: you’ve been taken alive (hijacked.)
7600: you’ve had a technical glitch.
7700: hands to heaven — you’re in an all-encompassing emergency situation.
Radios not working? You can always try to call down to tower on a cellular device.
E: Execute plan
You’ve made it this far, now it’s time to turn the master switch off, cut the fuel source, and unlatch the door(s) as you come in to land.
Though these pieces of advice may not fit all emergency situations, they’re quality food for thought as we all trudge forward, striving to be the best pilots we can be.
Though these steps are helpful, they are not guaranteed to safely deliver any pilot out of an emergency situation, and they are not FAA guidelines.