emergency aircraft

Emergency Aircraft - Air travel is considered the safest form of transportation in the United States, with only 0.06 deaths per billion passenger miles. Despite impressive safety statistics, many people still fear air travel—especially those with significant disabilities.

With over 300 years as a wheelchair user with reduced mobility, I often wonder if I could evacuate and survive a plane crash or other emergency. A recent series of plane accidents encouraged me to study emergency evacuation procedures for passengers with disabilities.

Emergency Aircraft

Last month I reached out to three of America's largest companies. airlines (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) for information and comments on this story. American Airlines allowed phone interviews, while Delta and United did not respond after several attempts. I also spoke with active and retired flight attendants who asked me to keep their identities confidential.

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Aircraft evacuations can be described as planned or unplanned; Each type poses a different level of risk to passenger safety.

During the evacuation plan, the crew became aware of a problem with the aircraft that required an emergency landing. Passengers will be notified in advance to prepare for evacuation. An example of a well-planned emergency landing and evacuation is JetBlue Airways Flight 292, which landed safely in Los Angeles after a nose malfunction in 2005. 140 passengers and 6 crew exited the aircraft and no injuries were reported.

The unplanned evacuations followed an unexpected event that threatened the integrity of the aircraft and the safety of those on board. The 2013 crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 occurred without warning as the plane made a normal approach to San Francisco International Airport. The main landing gear and tail section of the Boeing 777-200ER struck a breakwater near the runway, causing the aircraft to disintegrate upon impact with the landing field. A fire broke out and the passengers evacuated through the emergency exit (chute) and the opening after the missing tail. 304 of the 307 passengers and crew survived the accident, 187 suffered minor injuries.

Although the crash of Asiana 214 was a significant and fatal event, unplanned evacuations can also occur in situations that are not inherently catastrophic. Take US Airways Flight 445 as an example. After landing at Denver International Airport in 2015, the cabin filled with smoke. Passengers were safely evacuated using slides and it was later determined that the smoke was not caused by fire. Airline disabled evacuation plan

Emergency Aircraft Evacuation

From all the research done for this article, I have been unable to identify a single commercial aircraft evacuation in the United States involving a passenger immobilized due to a disability. As a full-time wheelchair user, I get on and off in an aisle seat. Since I cannot stand, walk or move without the assistance of an assistive wheelchair, my evacuation can only take place with the assistance of others.

With that in mind, I asked American Airlines about its plan to evacuate passengers like me in the event of an emergency. They make it clear that "safety is our highest concern" and that flight attendants are instructed in emergency procedures during both "initial training and annual routine training."

Before departure, all passengers are given a general safety briefing. This summary shows the location of emergency exits and provides information on how to use life jackets, flotation devices and oxygen masks. Separate summaries are provided for passengers with disabilities that make the standard summary inaccessible (eg blind or hearing impaired).

In the event of a planned evacuation, the flight attendants are trained to call for help a nearby healthy passenger who will be able to assist the passenger with reduced mobility. During the unplanned evacuation, the airline assured me that the policy is to leave no one behind. The crew and flight attendants were instructed to remain on board until all passengers had been evacuated and the captain was expected to be the last to disembark.

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For passengers who are completely immobilized due to amputation, paralysis, or another condition, flight attendants are trained in "multiple lift and move techniques." As with boarding, airline staff will ask how best to assist passengers. Because time is of the essence, he "will have to put the comfort of passengers aside to get them to a safe environment more quickly."

I asked if there were any circumstances where aisle seats could be used to move passengers to emergency exits. While not completely ruling it out, standard practice does not include aisle seats because it "could cause interference." Every evacuation is unique, and American trains its flight attendants to "adapt to different situations and passenger needs" and to "determine the best course of action" in a hurry. Flight attendants discuss their training

I reached out to five different active or retired flight attendants from American, Delta, and United to get more specific information about the casualty evacuation process.

I received two helpful responses regarding the preparation of an evacuation plan. The first is from a Delta Air Lines flight attendant:

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Before the emergency landing, the chaser will speak with the disabled passenger to map out a plan and get the help they need. It all depends on the time we have, but most planned emergency landings will give us plenty of time.

The American Airlines flight attendant repeated what the company told me over the phone, but in more detail:

If it was a planned evacuation (we knew in the air that we would have to evacuate on the ground and had time to prepare the cabin and passengers), I would ask the able-bodied passenger (ABP) to volunteer to move to a seat near the disabled passenger and help him from the plane – In the same way, I ask an adult to take care of an unaccompanied minor.

We've moved the ABP closest to the exit to help other travelers on the ground, so that should be an easy next step, time permitting.

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While the ability to plan an emergency landing and subsequent evacuation would be better for everyone on board, it is not always feasible. In the event of an evacuation necessary due to an unexpected emergency, the flight attendants will have to think about it and direct the evacuation without prior notice. Passengers with disabilities may be the last to receive assistance, as one American Airlines flight attendant described:

After everyone stopped coming to our designated exit during the evacuation, we were trained to go through the cabin. Provided that another passenger has not helped the disabled passenger to disembark, we will assist him to disembark. Specifically, we were asked to put our hands under the passengers to pull them back, or have them cross their arms over their chests and pull on their ankles (speed > comfort in case of fire, etc.). The FA leader will be the one to approach them first, basically the door of whoever is sitting nearby.

My job is to make sure every passenger gets off the plane. I will do everything in my power to ensure that disabled passengers on my flight are evacuated safely. If I can't do it myself, I'll find someone else to help me. If I could marry you, would you come with me? As for aisle seats - anything is an option. It will have to be accessible and available. Whatever will work in the fastest time. This is what is expected of us.

After speaking with American Airlines and the flight attendants of the three largest US airlines, I feel a little more secure. The crews who looked after us and guided us through the sky knew that passengers with disabilities would need extra attention in an emergency. Airlines prepare flight attendants for these situations through annual training and disability awareness programs. I was under the impression that if this were to happen, evacuating people with reduced mobility would be an all-in-one scenario. Although it is clear that I will be the last one to exit, it is necessary to ensure that as many people as possible are saved. Any attempt to prioritize my evacuation will slow down the process and potentially endanger the lives of others.

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If you must make an emergency landing or evacuation, planned or unexpected, I encourage you to discuss your needs for assistance with those around you. My personal worldview is centered on the idea that most people are good and won't turn their backs on others when necessary. Don't be shy and don't be shy to ask for help - not when your life depends on it!

Should a better plan be put in place to evacuate people with reduced mobility? Do you have any security concerns when traveling by plane?

The US Department of Transportation has issued new regulations aimed at protecting consumers, increasing competition and protecting passengers with disabilities traveling on airplanes.

Trip report from my recent flight on Garuda Indonesia, London-Gatwick to Amsterdam. The airline handled my request for wheelchair assistance with flying colours. When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works.

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The damaged fuselage of US Airways Flight 1549 after the plane was pulled from the Hudson River following an emergency landing in 2009. (Photo: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo)

Repair. Maybe the plane shuddered, or maybe

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