Emergency landings are rare, but preparing for in-flight incidents is a crucial aspect of air travel. Here is essential information regarding emergency aircraft landings.
Why do aircraft divert or make emergency landings?
Aircraft may divert due to adverse weather, passenger medical emergencies, or security concerns. However, technical issues, particularly those involving engines, are the most common cause. Most modern aircraft have two engines, so the failure of one engine does not automatically mean disaster. An aircraft can continue to fly for a specific period with only one engine operational.
This capability is defined by the ETOPS rating, which specifies the maximum time an aircraft can operate safely with a single engine. For the Boeing 737 MAX, the ETOPS duration is typically around 180 minutes. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 can achieve up to 370 minutes, equivalent to over 6 hours.
Where will the aircraft land?
Pilots coordinate with air traffic control to identify a suitable airport, considering the aircraft's position, condition, and the urgency of the situation. If an incident occurs shortly after takeoff, the aircraft may return to its departure airport. If far from the origin, pilots will select the nearest alternate airport along the flight path. Airlines must pre-plan these potential diversion points when developing flight routes.
Which regions have the fewest alternate airports?
The Pacific Ocean is considered one of the most challenging regions for aircraft experiencing in-flight incidents. This area has few alternate airports, many of which are in almost isolated locations, and the distances between suitable landing sites are often vast. Some alternate airports are located on small islands or military bases.
One of the most isolated routes, operated by Qantas, is the Sydney, Australia - Santiago, Chile flight. Easter Island is near this route, but its airport can only accommodate one aircraft at a time. This necessitates Chilean air traffic control imposing strict limits on the number of aircraft within diversion range of the island. A SWISS airline flight also had to make an emergency diversion to the Azores archipelago, Portugal, in late August.
Which regions offer the most emergency landing options?
The Atlantic Ocean provides many choices. One of the most well-known locations is Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada. The airport's strategic location makes it a crucial diversion point for many transatlantic routes.
This airport played an important role during Operation Yellow Ribbon following the 11/9/2001 terrorist attacks, when dozens of flights were diverted there. Local residents supported thousands of stranded passengers, a story later adapted into the famous musical "Come From Away". Besides Gander, Shannon Airport in Ireland, Keflavik in Iceland, and several airports in the Azores archipelago are also frequently used as diversion points.
What happens during an emergency landing in politically unstable countries?
According to international aviation safety regulations, commercial aircraft can make emergency landings anywhere that meets safety requirements. However, no-fly zones and airspace restrictions often lead Western aircraft to avoid flying over certain politically sensitive regions, such as Iran.
Nevertheless, unexpected emergency landings in such places are not unprecedented. In 2018, a Norwegian Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Oslo had to make an emergency diversion to an airport in Iran. Four years prior, a Turkish Airlines flight carrying many Israeli passengers (who are typically prohibited from entering Iran) also made an emergency two-hour stop in Tehran due to a medical issue.
Anh Minh (via Telegraph)
