If flying a Cessna, you should always clear before turns, to ensure you don’t hit a train 

Since there has been a few random aviation emergency landings (such as engine out, and crash landing on railroad tracks) in the past few weeks, it seems apropos to talk emergency landings (if your wing falls off disregard the following, tune radio to 121.5 and send out your final goodbyes). To start they are extremely rare, but in the event they happen, there are a few things you can do to ensure the best outcome. Also, make sure the runway you choose does not have a train on it. 

Here’s 10 tips to help you out (stay in).  

 1. DO NOT JUMP OUT (Trevor Jacob you are so fun) 

2. Don’t freak out, take a deep breath and think 

3. Pitch for bestglide (carb heat in, trim) 

4. Pick a spot (take a minute, look around) if you are really cool like Eric Tucker you can try to land on a moving train, if you are like the guy below, or any other pilot, don’t. Make sure your landing spot is free of obstructions such as electrical poles, power lines, runaway heavy equipment (trains), etc. 

5. Check the wind –it’s important to know which way the wind is blowing so when you crash you are not going too fast 

6. Troubleshoot (if you have time, check mixture, check fuel, check mags) 

7. Pop the door open (so it does not jam, also if you are Trevor Jacob, make sure your GoPro is recording) 

8. Fly the airplaneas far into the crash as possible, don’t stall. 

9. In order not to stall, keep nose down if no power, maintain airspeed all the way to the crash 

10. Your number one job is to fly the airplane, if you have time make a radio call to someone (doesn’t matter who) 

11. After landing, calmly walk away, your thumb is a useful tool for hitching a ride. 

 About the Author

Andy Bibber (CFI, CFI-I, Tailwheel instructor, Aerobatics) has over 35 years of flying experience and about 27,000 hours, he's taught the likes of Kevin Quinn and many others. Having grown up in Maine, Andy spent summers flying floats and winters on skis, hoping frozen lakes. Andy flew for 20 years in Alaska, hauling people, freight and whatever else they could stuff through the door of an airplane.

He’s passionate about what he does and loves to share his knowledge with those who want to learn. In his spare time he and his family take trips in a Twin Beech 18 to fun destinations like the High Sierra Fly In and STOL competition at Dead Cow Lake.