Expert Insights: Crash Considerations - How to (Successfully) Crash an Airplane
•January 29, 2026
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Why It Matters
Understanding and rehearsing terrain‑specific crash procedures equips pilots to survive emergencies, reducing fatalities and operational risk for airlines and private operators alike.
Key Takeaways
- •Plan routes over low‑density terrain for emergency landing options.
- •Desert landings require soft‑field technique; avoid rocks, cacti, pits.
- •In mountains, seek flat gravel beds, never land sideways on slopes.
- •Use aft seat position and gear retraction to protect head during impacts.
- •Ditch‑training improves survival; practice breath control and rapid egress.
Summary
The video delivers a detailed briefing on how pilots can deliberately manage an emergency crash‑landing across diverse environments—desert, mountainous, forested, and water—by integrating terrain awareness, aircraft handling, and specialized training.
It stresses planning a flight path over low‑density areas to guarantee viable “outs” should an engine failure occur. In deserts, pilots are urged to execute soft‑field landings at the lowest safe speed, avoiding hidden rocks, pits and cacti that can snag wings. Mountain terrain demands locating flat gravel beds or alpine clearings and never approaching a slope sideways, while forested zones require using tree canopies as a cushion and keeping the seat aft to protect the cockpit.
The instructor highlights practical tactics such as retracting tricycle gear to land on the belly like a canoe, sliding the seat back to shift the centre of gravity, and securing life jackets within reach. He cites ditch‑training simulators that teach breath‑holding before impact and rapid egress, noting that a pre‑impact breath dramatically raises survival odds.
For commercial and general‑aviation pilots, these guidelines translate into measurable risk reduction. Incorporating terrain‑based route planning, mastering soft‑field techniques, and completing regular crash‑survival drills can turn a potentially fatal accident into a survivable event, ultimately lowering insurance costs and enhancing overall flight safety culture.
Original Description
What's it worth to have your family walk away from an accident?
Melanie A. Folcik Barillaro is an aviation accident investigator, professional pilot, and certificated flight instructor with over 25 years of experience. Melanie emphasizes the hazards pilots face during crash landings and offers candid advice for mitigating those risks. With a focus on "crashing safer," pilots should glean valuable insights from this series in the event they face an off-airport, forced landing.
WINGS Credit:
To get WINGS credit for watching this video series, complete a short 15-question quiz with a passing score of 100 percent. Go to the course https://bit.ly/ElCrashConsiderations
Note, your login used to take the quiz must match your FAA WINGS login.
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