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How to Survive Falling From a Plane Without a Parachute

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How to Survive a Fall From an Airplane Without a Parachute

Imagine waking up to find yourself no longer safely inside an airplane but plummeting towards the earth. It sounds like a nightmare, but what if it actually happened? What are your chances of survival, and how can you increase those odds? Let's explore the science and strategies that might just save your life.

Understanding the Fall

Wreckage Rider vs. Freefall

In this terrifying scenario, you might find yourself in one of two situations:

  • Wreckage Rider: Still strapped to your seat or attached to a piece of the plane.
  • Freefall: Completely detached and falling solo.

Surprisingly, being a "Wreckage Rider" might increase your survival chances. One incredible example is Vesna Vulovic, who fell over 33,000 feet attached to a section of the plane's tail after an explosion. She survived, thanks to landing in trees on a snowy hillside, which cushioned her impact. The wreckage acted as a cocoon, protecting her as she crashed through the branches.

Terminal Velocity: The Speed of Impact

Whether you're in freefall or attached to wreckage, understanding terminal velocity is crucial. This is the maximum speed you'll reach during your fall, determined by the balance between:

  • Gravity: Pulling you down.
  • Air Resistance (Drag): Pushing against you as you fall.

As you fall, air molecules collide with you, creating drag. The faster you fall, the more drag you experience, eventually slowing your acceleration to zero. Factors affecting terminal velocity include:

  • Weight
  • Size
  • Orientation

For an average person in freefall, terminal velocity is around 124 miles per hour (200 km/h) when falling flat. However, a nosedive could increase that to 260-270 miles per hour (418-434 km/h)!

If you're attached to wreckage, your terminal velocity will depend on the size, weight, and surface area of the debris. A car-sized piece of wreckage could result in a terminal velocity of 200-300 miles per hour (322-483 km/h).

Maximizing Your Survival Chances

The 'Slow Fall' Technique

If you find yourself in freefall, here's how to reduce your speed:

  1. Create Drag: Maximize your surface area by spreading your arms and legs in a "Box" or "Arch" position, like a skydiver.
  2. Stabilize: This position also provides dynamic stability, preventing uncontrolled tumbling.
  3. Push Down: Use your arms and legs to push down on the air, further flattening your body.

Skydivers using these techniques can reduce their fall rate by 10-15%.

Choosing Your Landing Spot

Past survivors have landed on various surfaces, but some are better than others:

  • Water: Contrary to popular belief, water is as unforgiving as concrete at high speeds. If it's your only option, enter feet first, but be prepared for shattered legs.
  • Ideal Surfaces: Aim for something with give, like:
    • Thick snow
    • Haystacks
    • Bushes
    • Grassy marshlands
    • Even a ploughed field

Steering in Freefall

Believe it or not, you can steer yourself in freefall. Skydivers use the "Box Position" to control their movements:

  • Forward: Pull arms back slightly and straighten legs.
  • Backward: Extend arms and bend knees.
  • Right: Twist upper body slightly to the right, dipping your right shoulder.
  • Left: Twist upper body slightly to the left, dipping your left shoulder.

Preparing for Impact

At around 1,000 feet (305m) from the ground, prepare for impact:

  1. Legs Down: Flip around to land feet first.
  2. Bent and Springy: Keep your legs bent to absorb the impact.
  3. Protect Vital Organs: Position your elbows to cover your midriff and your hands to cover your face.
  4. Roll on Impact: Try to roll to the side to protect your aorta, the body's largest artery.

The Surprising Truth About Children

Interestingly, children have a higher survival rate in falls from great heights. This may be due to:

  • More flexible skeletons
  • Higher subcutaneous fat levels, protecting internal organs
  • Lower weight, reducing terminal velocity

Conclusion

While falling from a plane without a parachute seems like certain death, history shows that survival is possible. By understanding the science of freefall, employing techniques to reduce your speed, choosing your landing spot wisely, and preparing for impact, you can significantly increase your odds of survival. While this knowledge is unlikely to be needed, it's fascinating to consider the possibilities and strategies that could potentially save your life.