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The aircraft reaches its desired altitude and levels out. It's a cloudless day, and winds are light. Perfect flying weather.
But all is not well. The captain, until now alert and focused, slumps back in the seat before rolling forward, complaining of nausea and light-headedness.
During a "talk-down," it's imperative to listen carefully to the instructor or controller and answer their questions to the best of your abilities. In a supreme test of nerve and confidence, following instructions to the letter increase the chances of putting wheels on the ground safely.
Secure yourself in the seat by fastening your safety belt and shoulder harness if so equipped. You might instinctively reach for the controls. Don't! The autopilot will likely be engaged, and for the time being, the plane is flying by itself.
First of all, you'll most likely have to reposition yourself into the left seat. While almost all aircraft have dual controls, the most of the instruments in light single-engine aircraft are often clustered in front of where the captain usually sits.
A sudden wave of panic envelops you. What's wrong? you ask. But the captain is incapacitated, slipping in and out of consciousness. And then the person at the controls is silent and still. Motionless.
A passenger in a situation like this (with little or no piloting experience) will likely receive over-the-radio assistance from a certified flight instructor or air traffic controller in what's known as a "talk-down" procedure.
"Talk-down" assistance will include reminding you to activate the autobrake and arm the spoilers (if any). These devices ensure a firm landing and lessen the chance of flying back up in the air uncontrolled.
It is very difficult to land a plane without experience. But it is possible given certain conditions. Placed in a scenario like this, it's those who realize that they are in a life or death situation and are motivated enough to survive their ordeal that very often prevail.
After making sure the unconscious captain is not slumped against the control yoke (steering wheel), take stock of the situation. Breathe carefully by inhaling slowly and deeply. This will help you overcome the shock of your predicament and refocus your mind.
The captain, who usually sits in the left seat, is following a pre-determined flight plan. Conditions are calm, routine almost.
So, you've taken off and are looking forward to your flight safe in the knowledge that the person flying the plane is an experienced, fully-qualified pilot.
ATC control will ask you to flare just before you touch down. This is a procedure whereby you pull up on the yoke and pull back on the throttle before you land to decrease speed and raise the nose of the plane.
Your "talk-down" will require constant monitoring of the instrument panel. A passenger with some basic knowledge of flight instruction will probably adapt quickly to and understand the relationships between the plane's flight control devices, such as the rudder and throttle controls, and their aerodynamic responses. For anyone else, the landing procedure will be the most fraught and potentially dangerous part of the emergency.
At this point contact ATC (Air Traffic Control) using the intercom to the left of the yoke. Declare an emergency by saying "Mayday mayday mayday," identity your flight number, and describe the situation.
When the pilot has room to maneuver, the planning of the approach should be governed by the following three factors: wind direction and velocity; dimensions and slope of the chosen field or landing strip; obstacles in the final approach path.
It's a nightmare scenario. The pilot is grounded and you're left high and dry. Actually, you're probably drenched in sweat. But the next decision you make might be the difference between life and death. All of a sudden you're the captain, and you need to land the plane. Can you do it?
A natural talent for controlling a mechanical device and an ability to understand and adapt quickly to a plane's flight control devices also increase the likelihood of successfully landing a plane in an emergency.
The awful realization of what's just happened induces a gasp of disbelief. Frozen in fear, you stare at the lifeless body on the left. No one is flying the plane!
Scan the instrument panel and try and identify the main controls. For example, you'll probably be familiar with the function of the throttle: pull back to reduce speed; push forward to increase. And by pulling back on the yoke you increase altitude. Push it forward and the plane will descend. Your first priority, however, is to make sure the aircraft is level. You ascertain this by looking at the altitude indicator.
The altitude indicator, sometimes called the artificial horizon, informs the pilot of the aircraft's orientation relative to the Earth's horizon. The instrument is identified by its miniature set of symbolic "wings" and a picture of the horizon. The top half of the instrument is blue to represent the sky, while the bottom half is brown to represent the ground. In any emergency it's important to establish a stable flight position as soon as possible. This might already be the case if the autopilot was on when the pilot was at the controls and the aircraft had leveled out. In this case, leave the autopilot on.
Assuming the aircraft is level, you'll be asked to maintain a safe speed. This is ascertained by looking at the airspeed indicator usually located on the upper left of the instrument panel and adjusting as necessary using controls identified during the "talk-down." You should never fly a small two-seater plane at less than 70 knots. For reference, the green arc displayed on the gauge indicates the normal operating range of the aircraft.
Assuming a safe spot to land has been identified and agreed upon, the controller/instructor you are talking to will request that you start reducing the plane's altitude.
To start reducing the plane's altitude you have to pull back on the throttle. This action immediately reduces power in the engine. The throttle levers are nearly always located between the captain and passenger's seat. Remember to keep the airspeed within the green arc.
By now you'll be flying manually and will no doubt find you are constantly pushing or pulling on the yoke to keep the airplane steady. ATC will instruct you on how to use trim to relieve those pressures.
With ATC having instructed you to configure the aircraft for landing, a series of procedures that include using the flaps to improve maneuverability at slow speed, you can go for landing.
You'll be employing a variety of drag devices such as slats and flaps to slow the plane down without losing lift. In a light aircraft landing gear is nearly always fixed. If it isn't, or you're at the controls of a larger airplane, they'll be retractable. Remember to lower landing gear during approach.
Even if you've precisely followed your "talk-down," Mother Nature can still throw a spanner in the works. Beware of crosswind, a phenomenon that affects the aerodynamics of many forms of transport, including the largest and most powerful of passenger airlines. If you suspect a crosswind on approach, radio your controller-instructor immediately for countermeasures, which often involves maneuvering the plane into a "crabbing position"—pointing the nose into the direction the wind is coming from.
After landing, reduce power to idle by pulling the throttle all the way back, until you reach the sign labeled "idle." Gently apply the brakes by pressing on top of the rudder pedals until the aircraft comes to a halt.
Emergency services should be on hand to meet the plane and to attend to the stricken pilot. Meanwhile, you can congratulate yourself on successfully landing an aircraft with no previous experience.
Sources (CNN Travel) (Federal Aviation Administration) (Wikihow)
Something similar happened in October 2024. In a remarkable act of composure, a woman with no flight experience safely landed a twin-engine plane after her husband, the pilot, suffered a heart attack mid-flight. With guidance from air traffic control, she brought the aircraft to a secure landing in Bakersfield. Her quick thinking and ability to stay calm under pressure allowed her to heroically save them from a near-disaster. But how challenging could it be?
How to land a plane in an emergency
Do you have what it takes?
LIFESTYLE Aviation
In early May 2022 a single passenger named Darren Harrison was left to fly the light aircraft he was traveling in after the pilot lost consciousness. He landed successfully after following "talk-down" over-the-radio procedures jointly issued from an air traffic controller and a flight instructor on the ground. His was not the only example of such a scenario, with CNN reporting of at least three other occasions when passengers have been left in life or death situations where the only choice open to them is to take the controls and land a plane themselves. But what's involved in a "talk down," and would you have the nerve and powers of concentration to fly yourself out of such a frightening situation?
Click through and find out what it takes to get a plane down in a panic.