Emergency Landings: Can the Average Person Safely Handle It?

Old Flight Instructor here and my opinion is: maybe yes but the odds are against it. There have been rare instances where the average person managed to land a plane using ground control assistance, but this is extremely uncommon and highly challenging.

For example, a family was flying to Florida in a light airplane around 20 years ago when the father suffered a heart attack and died at the controls. It was his wife who took over and landed the plane, saving her own life and the lives of their children. This happened because she had enough radio communication skills to talk the plane down with the help of a flight instructor. However, this is a very exceptional case.

Complexity of Landing a Plane

Flying and landing a plane is a highly complex task that requires extensive skill, knowledge, and experience. Even with ground control assistance, the average person is likely to struggle. Here are some aspects involved in landing an aircraft:

Variables in Flight Operations

The type and model of the plane Weather and visibility conditions Altitude and speed of the plane Runway length and direction Flight traffic and communication protocols Cockpit instruments and controls Emergency procedures and checklists

Each of these elements requires specialized training to operate safely and efficiently. The average person would lack the necessary background and familiarity with these aspects and would likely be overwhelmed by the information and instructions they receive from ground control.

Difficulties in Landing a Plane

Landing a plane is among the most challenging and critical phases of flight. It requires precise coordination of multiple actions, such as adjusting the throttle, flaps, landing gear, brakes, rudder, ailerons, and elevator. Additionally, the pilot must constantly monitor altitude, speed, attitude, heading, glide slope, wind direction, and runway alignment. Any mistake could result in a crash or a runway excursion.

The average person lacks the necessary skills and confidence to perform these actions smoothly and accurately under pressure and with guidance from ground control. The mental and physical stress of an emergency situation further complicates the task.

Chances of a Successful Landing

Based on my experience, the chances of the average person landing a plane safely with ground control assistance are very slim. Out of ten people in such a situation, I would predict that less than half could land safely without incident. While some individuals may have prior experience or natural aptitude, these cases are extremely rare.

Conclusion

While there have been remarkable instances of individuals landing planes under extraordinary circumstances, the overall likelihood of the average person successfully landing a plane with ground control assistance is very low. The complexity and critical nature of this task make it an improbable feat for most people, unless they have extensive flight training and experience.