These 4 Plane Crash Landings saved all Passengers

The moment we hear the word “plane crash,” our mind automatically chooses the option of horror and tragedy. But not every plane crash landings is a tragedy. Owing to trained pilots, sophisticated technology, and rapid decision-making, many emergency landings have converted almost-tragedies into miracles. A few instances of crash landings that saved thousands of lives through history have been briefed below:

4 Plane Crash Landings saved all Passengers:

1. Belly Landing (Gear-Up Landing)

Belly landing refers to the failure of an aircraft’s landing gear to come out for landing. It happens as a result of mechanical or hydraulic failure. The pilots must skillfully bring the plane down on the fuselage, typically onto a long, straight runway.
Examples: In 2011, there was a serious incident where a Polish LOT Airlines Boeing 767 belly-landed in Warsaw, and all the onboard passengers were safely evacuated.

2. Water Landing (Ditching)

One of the most extreme, yet rare crash landings, is a water landing. Crews need to select a fairly smooth body of water and successfully land to not break-up.
Example: 2009 US Airways flight 1549, also known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”, where the Aircraft Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ditched the Airbus A320 into the Hudson River, and saved 155 lives.

3. Runway Overrun Landing

This involves landing a plane such that it cannot stop before the end of the runway. If done in the correct way, the pilot can land it in a safety area or onto grass at times to stop severe injuries.
Famous Example: In 2020 an Air India Express flight from Dubai landed, during rains, and skidded off the runway at Kozhikode. If not for timely the rescue efforts, most passengers would not have survived this crash.

4. Field or Highway Landing

Under extreme emergency circumstances, pilots are compelled to make emergency landings on fields or highways in case the airport becomes inaccessible.
Prominent example: In 1983, Air Canada’s “Gimli Glider” landed safely on an abandoned runway-turned-racing-track due to fuel depletion without suffering any loss of lives.

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