How to Survive a Plane Crash

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Co-authored by Ky Furneaux

Last Updated: November 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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Preparing for Flights

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Bracing on Impact

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Surviving the Crash

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

The chances of dying on a commercial airline flight are actually as low as 9 million to 1. That said, a lot can go wrong at 33,000 feet (10,058.4 m) above the ground, and if you’re unlucky enough to be aboard when something does, the decisions you make could mean the difference between life and death. Almost 95% of airplane crashes have survivors, so even if the worst does happen, your odds aren't as bad as you might think. You can learn to prepare for each flight safety, stay calm during the crash itself, and survive the aftermath.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing for Flights

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1
Dress comfortably. You’ll need to be able to stay warm if you survive a crash. Even if that is not a consideration, the more of your body is covered during impact, the less likely you are to receive serious injuries or burns. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and sturdy, comfortable, lace-up shoes.^{[1]
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- Loose or elaborate clothing poses a risk, as it can get snagged on obstacles in the close confines of a plane. If you know you’re going to be flying over cold areas, dress appropriately, and consider keeping a jacket on your lap.
- Cotton or wool clothing is also preferable as it is less flammable. Wool is preferable to cotton when flying over water, as wool does not lose its insulating properties to the degree cotton does when wet.
Although you may want to be comfortable or professional-looking on a flight, sandals or high heels make it hard to move quickly should there be an emergency. High heels are not allowed on the evacuation slides because they could tear them, and you can cut your feet and toes on glass or get flammable liquids on or in your sandals if you wear them.^{[2]
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Sit in the tail of the aircraft. Passengers in the tail of the aircraft have 40% higher survival rates than those in the first few rows, in the event of a crash. Because a quick escape gives you the best chance for survival, it’s best to get seats as close as possible to an exit, on the aisle, and in the back of the plane.^{[3]
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- Yes, it's actually statistically safer to fly economy than first-class. Saving money could also save your life.
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Read the safety card and listen to the pre-flight safety speech. Yes, you may have heard it all before, and you’ll hopefully never need it, but if you keep your headphones on during the pre-flight instructions or ignore the safety card, you’ll be missing out on information that could be vital in the event of a crash.
- Don’t assume you know it all already, either. Every type of airplane has different safety instructions.^{[4]
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- If you're sitting in an exit row, study the door and make sure you know how to open it if you need to. In normal circumstances the flight attendant will open the door, but if they are dead or injured, you'll need to do it.
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Count the number of seats between your seat and the exit row. Find the exit closest to you, and count the number of seats that it'll take to get to it. If the plane crashes, it could be smoky, loud, or confusing in the cabin afterward. If you need to escape, you might have to feel your way to the exit, which will be a lot easier if you know where it is and how far.
- It can help to write down the number in pen on your hand, so you'll have a quick reference if you need to.
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Keep your seat belt on at all times. Every centimeter of slack in your seat belt triples the G-Force you'll experience in the event of a crash, so keep your seat belt properly tightened at all times you're on the aircraft.
- Push the belt down as low over your pelvis as possible. You should be able to feel the upper ridge of the pelvis above the upper edge of the belt, which helps to brace you in an emergency much better than your soft stomach.
- Leave your seat belt on, even if you're sleeping. If something happens while you're out, you'll thank yourself for putting the restraints in place.

Part 2

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Bracing on Impact

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1
Assess the situation. Try to determine what surface the plane will land on so you can customize your preparations. If you’re going to be landing in water, for example, you’ll want to put your life vest on, though you need to wait to inflate it until you’re out of the plane. If you’re going to be landing in cold weather, you should try to get a blanket or jacket to keep you warm once outside.
- Plot out the general course you'll be on ahead of time, so you'll have some idea of where you are when the plane crashes. If you're flying from Iowa to California, you can be fairly certain you won't be landing in the ocean.
- Use the time before the crash to find your exit. If the plane is going to crash, you almost always have several minutes to prepare before impact. Use this time to once again review where the exits are.
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Prepare your space as much as possible. If you know you’re going to crash, return your seat back to its full upright position and stow away any loose items that could become hazardous, if at all possible. Zip up your jacket and make sure your shoes are tied tightly to your feet. Then assume one of two standard brace positions used for surviving a plane crash and try to remain calm.^{[5]
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- In either position, your feet should be flat on the floor and further back than your knees to reduce injuries to your feet and legs, which you will need in order to successfully exit the craft after impact. Place your legs as far under the seat as possible to avoid breaking your shin bones.
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Brace yourself against the seat in front of you. If the seat in front of you is close enough to reach, place one hand palm-down on the back of that seat, then cross the other hand palm-down over the first hand. Rest your forehead against your hands. Keep your fingers unlaced.
- It's also sometimes recommended that you put your head directly against the seat in front of you and lace your fingers behind your head, tucking your upper arms against the sides of your head to cradle it.
- Bend forward, if there's no seat in front of you. If you don’t have a seat close in front of you, bend forward and put your chest on your thighs and your head between your knees. Cross your wrists in front of your lower calves, and grab your ankles.
Try to remain calm. It can be easy to get swept up in the pandemonium immediately preceding and following a crash. Keep a cool head, though, and you’re more likely to get out alive. Remember that even in the worst wrecks, you do have a chance of survival. You’ll need to be able to think methodically and rationally to maximize that chance.
If you inflate it in the plane, when it starts to fill up with water, the life jacket will force you upwards against the cabin roof and it will be very hard to swim back down, leaving you trapped. Inflating it before leaving the plane also runs the risk of it being torn while you evacuate, rendering it useless when you really need it. Instead, hold your breath and swim out, and once you're out, inflate it.^{[6]
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Put your oxygen mask on before assisting others. You’ve probably heard this on every commercial flight you’ve been on, but it’s worth repeating. If the integrity of the cabin is compromised, you have only about 15 seconds or less to start breathing through your oxygen mask before you are rendered unconscious.^{[7]
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- While you may feel an impulse to first help your children or the elderly passenger sitting next to you, you’ll be no good to anyone if you don’t remain conscious. Also, remember that you can put somebody else's oxygen mask on even if they're unconscious. This might help save their life.

Part 3

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Surviving the Crash

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1
Protect yourself from smoke. Fire and smoke are responsible for the largest percentage of plane crash fatalities. The smoke in an airplane fire can be very thick and highly toxic, so cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid breathing it in. If possible, moisten the cloth to provide extra protection.^{[8]
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- Stay low as you escape, to duck under the level of smoke. It might not seem like a big deal, but passing out due to smoke inhalation is one of the most dangerous things that can happen during this critical period.
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Get out of the airplane as quickly as possible. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 68 percent of plane crash deaths are due to post-crash fire, not injuries sustained in the crash itself.^{[9]
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Federal Aviation Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for monitoring and setting guidelines for civilian aviation

Go to source} It’s critical to get out of the aircraft without delay. If fire or smoke is present, you will generally have less than two minutes to safely exit the plane.
- Make sure the exit you choose is safe. Look through the window to determine if there is fire or some other hazard outside of an exit. If there is, try the exit across the plane, or proceed to another set of exits.
Flight attendants undergo rigorous training to make sure they know what to do in the event of a crash. If a flight attendant is able to instruct or assist you, listen closely and cooperate to increase everyone’s chances of survival.
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Ditch your stuff. Don’t try to rescue your belongings. It’s common sense, but still some people don’t seem to get it. Leave everything behind. Rescuing your belongings will only slow you and other people down.^{[10]
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- If you end up needing to salvage supplies from the plane crash site, worry about that later. Right now, you need to make sure that you get clear of the wreckage and find some safe cover. Get out now.
If you’re stranded in a remote area, the best thing to do usually is to stay close to the aircraft to await rescuers. You don’t want to be too close, though. Fire or explosion can happen at any time after a crash, so put some distance between you and the plane. If the crash is in open-water, swim as far away from the plane wreckage as possible.^{[11]
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Stay in one place, but pay attention to what needs to happen. While it’s essential to stay calm after a crash, you also need to recognize when you need to act and do so swiftly. Help out people who are struggling and tend to people's wounds using basic first aid available.
- Attend to your own wounds if at all possible. Check yourself for cuts and other abrasions, and apply pressure if necessary. Stay in one place to reduce the chance of exacerbating internal injuries.
- Negative panic is a strange inability to react assertively and appropriately to the situation. For example, a person may just remain in their seat instead of heading toward the exit. Watch out for this in your fellow passengers or traveling companions.^{[12]
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Call emergency services and wait for rescue. You stand a much higher chance of surviving if you just stay put. Don't wander off and look for help, or try to find something close by. If your plane went down, there will be people on the way quickly, and you want to be there when they arrive. Just stay put.

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Question

What should I do if I am really sick in the bathroom, and the captain/pilot said that we may have a rough landing, but I am sick and can't get back to my seat?

Oyeyemi Michael

Community Answer

Cry out loud for help from the bathroom, so one of the crew members will hear you and come to your rescue.

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What is the biggest mistake people make when in this situation?

NY Blossom

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Panicking. Don't overthink things or freeze. Do what you are instructed to do and don't do anything unnecessary (trying to save possessions, yelling, etc.).

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I've heard that the reason why you lean forward and put your head between your legs is so it breaks your neck during impact. That way they aren't sued. Is it true?

Community Answer

It is not true. It actually helps protect you.

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Tips

Remove sharp objects—pens, pencils, etc.—from your pockets before a crash. Better yet, don’t carry them at all. Nearly any loose object on a plane can become a deadly projectile in the event of a crash.

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In the event of a water landing, remove your shoes and excess clothes before or immediately after entering the water. This will make swimming and floating easier.

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It’s quite common for people to forget how to unbuckle their seat belts after a crash. It seems easy enough, but in your dazed condition the first instinct is often to try to push a button as you would for a car seat belt. When that doesn’t work, it’s easy to panic. Before impact, make a mental note to remember how to quickly and easily unbuckle your seat belt.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

If you end up in cold water after a crash landing, get your life jacket on but don't blow it up till you're out of the plane. Otherwise you'll float up and get stuck on the ceiling, trapped underwater.
While waiting to get rescued, use basic first aid to help out injured passengers. Apply pressure to cuts, immobilize suspected breaks, etc. Staying level-headed assists others.
After a crash on land, walk at least 500 feet upwind of the wreckage ASAP. Fires and explosions can happen anytime, so put some distance between you and the plane carcass.
Don't tune out when they give the safety speech. It might seem repetitive, but those instructions are specific to that plane model. Paying attention could save your neck.
Don't grab your bags and stuff on the way out. Every second counts when evacuating a crashed plane. Worry about your belongings later if you make it out.
Book a seat at the back of the plane if you can. Studies show people in the tail section are much more likely to make it out of a bad crash alive.

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Warnings

When landing in water, do not inflate your life vest until you are outside of the aircraft. If you do, you run the risk of becoming trapped when the aircraft fills with water.

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Don’t push other passengers. An orderly exit increases everybody’s chance of survival, and if you panic and start shoving, you may be faced with retaliation.

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Avoid wearing synthetic fabrics while traveling by plane. If a fire breaks out in the cabin, these materials will melt to your skin.

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Avoid excessive alcohol consumption before or during a flight. Alcohol impairs your ability to quickly and methodically react to the crash and evacuate the plane.

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Don’t get down on the floor of the plane. If there is smoke in the cabin, try to stay low, but do not crawl. You will likely be trampled or injured by other passengers attempting to escape in the low-visibility conditions.

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Never hold your infant or toddler on your lap. While it may be cheaper than buying a seat, your child is almost guaranteed not to survive if you are holding them. Get a seat for your child and use an approved child restraint system.

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