Learn how to land a plane in an emergency: control, safe speed, landing-site choice, ATC, checklists, touchdown and evacuation.
In real-world aviation, landing a plane in an emergency means keeping it under control, selecting the safest reachable landing area and following its published emergency checklist. Hold the appropriate safe speed, alert ATC, prepare the cabin, configure only when landing is assured, touch down under control, stop, then evacuate if required.
There is no universal switch sequence or approach speed. Pilots use the Pilot’s Operating Handbook, aircraft flight manual or Quick Reference Handbook for the specific aircraft. A forced landing follows a failure that prevents normal flight; a precautionary landing is made before conditions become critical, while ditching means landing on water.
What are the emergency landing priorities?
The priorities are aviate, navigate and communicate, in that order. Troubleshooting, radio calls and checklists must never be allowed to consume the attention needed to fly the aircraft.
- Maintain control. Set a safe attitude and airspeed, trim the aircraft and keep the wings under control. After total power loss, pitch promptly for the published best-glide speed. In a multi-engine aircraft, control of yaw and the correct engine-out speed are critical.
- Judge the urgency. An engine fire or dense smoke demands the minimum possible delay. A gear indication problem may leave enough time to hold, burn fuel and work through the checklist. Do not turn a manageable fault into a rushed landing.
- Select a landing site. Use a suitable airport if it is safely reachable. Otherwise choose a field, open area or other surface that the aircraft can reach without stretching the glide.
- Run the aircraft checklist. Complete any published memory items first, then use the written checklist if time permits. The correct fuel, ignition, electrical, fire and hydraulic actions differ between aircraft.
- Declare the emergency. Tell ATC
MAYDAY, the aircraft callsign, problem, position, altitude and intentions. Use the existing frequency first; 121.5 MHz is the standard emergency frequency when contact cannot be established. Set transponder code7700if appropriate and workload permits. - Prepare for impact. Tighten restraints, secure loose objects and brief occupants. Extend flaps and landing gear according to the aircraft checklist, normally delaying drag-producing configuration until the landing area is assured.
- Touch down and stop. Fly a stabilised final approach and preserve controllability rather than chasing a perfect touchdown point. The basic flare and braking principles remain close to those used in a normal aircraft landing, but damaged systems or unsuitable terrain may change the technique.
- Shut down or evacuate. Once stopped, secure fuel, ignition and electrical systems as directed by the checklist. Evacuate immediately if there is fire, smoke, leaking fuel or another immediate hazard, moving clear of propellers, engines and traffic.
How does the emergency change the landing plan?
The cause determines how much time is available, which systems can still be used and whether an airport remains a realistic option.
| Emergency | Immediate aim | Landing implication |
|---|---|---|
| Total engine failure | Establish best glide and attempt only checklist-approved recovery actions | Commit early to the best reachable site; our guide to handling a single-engine aircraft failure covers this sequence in detail |
| Partial power loss | Preserve control and remaining power | Divert promptly because partial power may disappear without warning |
| Fire or heavy smoke | Fight the fire using the checklist and descend safely | Use the nearest suitable surface with minimum delay |
| Landing-gear malfunction | Confirm the indication and attempt approved extension procedures | Prefer a long prepared runway with emergency services; use gear-up or partial-gear technique only as directed |
| Fuel, weather or medical problem | Divert before the situation becomes critical | Choose an airport offering suitable weather, runway length and assistance rather than simply the closest airport |
Where should you make a forced landing?
Use a suitable runway whenever one is safely reachable; otherwise choose the most forgiving reachable surface, not the most convenient-looking one. Judge wind, length, slope, firmness, obstacles and access for rescuers together.
- Airports: normally the best option when within range, especially at night or in poor visibility.
- Fields: favour a long, firm field with a clear approach. Wind direction matters, but a steep slope or major obstacle can outweigh the benefit of landing directly into wind.
- Roads: treat them cautiously. Power lines, vehicles, lamp posts, signs, barriers and bridges can be difficult to see from the air.
- Water: use the aircraft’s ditching procedure. Gear, flap, swell and touchdown recommendations vary substantially by aircraft type.
Once committed, do not pull the nose up to “stretch” the glide. That increases angle of attack, reduces speed and can produce an unrecoverable stall close to the ground. A nearer imperfect field is usually safer than a better site that requires marginal gliding performance.
What mistakes make emergency landings worse?
The most dangerous mistake is sacrificing aircraft control while troubleshooting or trying to reach a preferred landing site. Other common traps include:
- attempting a low-altitude turn back to the departure runway without sufficient height, training and aircraft performance;
- fixating on the radio or checklist while airspeed decays;
- lowering gear or flaps too early and losing the landing area to added drag;
- continuing towards an airport that is no longer reachable instead of committing to a closer site;
- using generic switch actions rather than the aircraft-specific emergency checklist;
- forgetting restraints, loose items and an occupant evacuation briefing.
Simulation is useful for rehearsing the order of priorities, but it cannot replace flight instruction or aircraft-specific emergency training. Our Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 emergency-landing procedure provides a safe way to practise the sequence without copying simulator habits blindly into real flying.
What should an untrained passenger do if the pilot cannot fly?
An untrained passenger should keep the aircraft stable, contact ATC and follow one instruction at a time. In an airliner, alert the cabin crew immediately; in a light aircraft, use the headset or radio microphone and state clearly that the pilot is incapacitated.
- Do not disturb stable flight. If the autopilot is holding the aircraft safely, leave it engaged unless ATC gives another instruction.
- Call for help. Transmit
MAYDAY, say “pilot incapacitated”, and report any visible altitude, heading, location or aircraft registration. Try 121.5 MHz if nobody answers on the selected frequency. - Follow ATC slowly. Controllers can identify the aircraft, find a suitable runway and arrange help from a pilot familiar with the type.
- Avoid random controls. Do not shut down an engine, extend the landing gear or alter unfamiliar systems without instruction.
Autoland is not a universal rescue button: the aircraft, airport equipment, approach and configuration must all support it. Our explanation of when an aircraft autopilot can complete a landing sets out those limitations.