How To Land A Plane Safely During An Unexpected Emergency From Apply Now, Your Guide to Adventure Travel. FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! If you're not a qualified pilot, the most fearful event in the sky is one where you are at the controls and must bring the plane down safely. If you're life depended on it, could you do it? YES! Difficulty: N/A Time Required: Immediate Here's How: 1. Assuming you are the best qualified to make a landing attempt, carefully remove the pilot from the "driver's seat". Take the seat and use the radio to call for help. Emergency freq: 121.5. 2. If you can't raise anybody on the radio, don't worry. The plane is stable and will fly itself with very little input. Useing only your fingertips on the yoke, keep the wings level. 3. Find an airport or a large field about 1/2 way below the horizon. Aim for the middle of the field. You really only need one about 1/4 mile long. 4. Reduce power to the bottom of the green arc on the tachometer or manifold pressure gauge. 5. Use the elevator trim to keep the nose somewhat level and allow speed to bleed off. Once it gets below the top of the white arc, extend flaps to nearly their full setting. Allow the nose to drop. Sponsored Links Alaska Adventure TravelExplore wildlife up close-in style. Active hike, cruise & kayak trips.www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com Martha's Vineyard ResortAt South Beach. Pilates, yoga, kids & teen programs, tennis, wellnesswww.winnetu.com Save 40% on GAP ToursGAP Adventures tours are up to 40% less than traveling independently.tourvacationstogo.com 6. Keep using the trim to keep the airspeed at ~15 knots above the bottom of the white arc. 7. If the center of the field moves up on the windscreen, add a little power. If it goes down, reduce power. Stow any lose objects. Remove sharp objects from your pockets. Tighten your seatbelts. 8. At 100' over the field pull the red mixture knob/lever out to kill the engine and flip off the red master switch. The nose will drop, let it. Close the fuel shutoff valve. The plane will hold its airspeed. 9. At about 20', SLOWLY start easing back on the yoke, using ONLY your fingertips. Try and touch down as slowly as possible and slightly nose high. 10. Keep the yoke in your lap during the ground roll, retract the flaps and apply the brakes. If done properly, you will have a very short ground roll as you will touchdown with very little forward speed. 11. Exit the aircraft as soon as it stops moving. Get far away, there is very little risk of fire, but just too be safe. 12. If crash landing in rough terrain, point the fuselage between trees so the wings will abosrb impact. Get clear of the wreckage as fast as possible. Treat injuries. Tips: If you are required to take the pilot's seat in an emergency, make certain you and all passengers are secure in your seatbelts. Restrain the injured pilot as well. Remaining calm can make the difference between surviving or not. Take a deep breath and pretend you are in control, even if you're not. Make contact on the radio. Use the "Mayday, Mayday" distress call until someone answers, then provide your coordinates from the compass and explain your problem. Ask (on the radio) if there is a qualified pilot that can talk you through emergency procedures or landings. You might get lucky! Airspeed and attitude (nose pointed up/down) are two most important factors. Check them constantly as you remain calm. What You Need: Courage Calm Common Sense Confidence Clear Thinking