What Is an Emergency Landing? When It Happens, How Fast the Plane Goes, and How Pilots Save Lives

Imagine you're cruising mid-air on a peaceful flight when suddenly, turbulence strikes hard. That’s exactly what happened on May 21, when an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar carrying 227 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing due to severe weather and hailstorm-induced turbulence. But what exactly is an emergency landing? When does it occur, and how do pilots handle such situations to ensure safety?

Here’s everything you need to know about emergency landings, aircraft speed during such events, and the critical decisions pilots make to safeguard lives.

✈️ What Is an Emergency Landing?

An emergency landing occurs when a pilot is compelled to land the aircraft before its scheduled destination due to a safety risk or technical failure. These landings are executed at the nearest suitable airport or landing zone to protect passengers, crew, and the aircraft itself.

Some common reasons for emergency landings include:

• Engine failure

• Fuel leakage or low fuel

• Loss of cabin pressure

• Malfunction in landing gear

• Onboard medical emergencies

• Bird strikes or extreme weather conditions

When any of these threats compromise flight safety, the pilot follows a rapid and precise emergency protocol to land the plane as quickly and safely as possible.

📊 Types of Emergency Landings

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), emergency landings fall into three main categories:

Forced Landing
This happens when an aircraft suffers a sudden engine shutdown, requiring immediate descent and landing.

Precautionary Landing
Executed when the pilot detects a potential threat—such as low fuel, electrical issues, or worsening weather—and chooses to land as a safety measure before things escalate.

Ditching
A rare and extreme type of emergency landing where the pilot is forced to land the aircraft on water, such as a river, lake, or ocean, due to complete unavailability of land-based options.

🛬 How Fast Does a Plane Land in an Emergency?

Under normal conditions, a commercial aircraft lands at speeds ranging from 240 to 300 km/h (150 to 186 mph). However, during an emergency landing, the pilot usually reduces the landing speed to between 150 and 200 km/h (93 to 124 mph).

Why slower? Because a lower speed requires less runway for stopping, making it safer, especially if the landing is not on a standard airport runway. Slowing down the aircraft also minimizes the risk of skidding or structural damage.

👨✈️ What Does a Pilot Do During an Emergency Landing?

Emergency landings demand quick, calculated decisions. Here are the critical steps a pilot follows:

Sends a “Mayday” Call
The pilot immediately sends out a “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” distress signal to Air Traffic Control (ATC) to declare an emergency and request priority landing clearance.

Identifies a Safe Landing Spot
Based on location and altitude, the pilot chooses the nearest safe landing zone—an airport runway, highway, open field, or even farmland.

Manages Altitude and Speed
Using flaps, thrust control, and landing gear, the pilot decreases altitude and speed while ensuring the aircraft doesn’t lose lift or stall.

Considers Wind Direction
Planes are always landed against the wind to help them slow down naturally, improving control and reducing landing distance.

Shuts Down Critical Systems if Necessary
In case of fire or fuel risk, the pilot may cut fuel supply, shut off electrical systems, and isolate damaged components.

Prepares Passengers for Impact
The cabin crew instructs passengers to assume the “brace position”, fasten seatbelts tightly, and wear oxygen masks if required.

🆘 What Happens After Landing?

If the plane lands on a non-traditional surface like grass, dirt, or water, emergency evacuation procedures are immediately activated:

• Inflatable slides are deployed

• Passengers are evacuated quickly

• Fire and medical teams arrive on-site within minutes to manage any injuries or risks

Thanks to rigorous pilot training, most emergency landings conclude safely, and modern aircraft are built to withstand significant stress during such events.

📌 In Conclusion: Emergency Doesn’t Mean Disaster

Emergency landings are rare but critical safety maneuvers, and pilots undergo extensive training to handle them flawlessly. Modern aviation systems, real-time communication with air traffic control, and well-practiced emergency protocols make flying one of the safest modes of transport—even when things go wrong.

Understanding the science and procedure behind emergency landings can turn fear into confidence the next time you board a flight.