5 Essential Tips for Airplane Emergency Landings: A Passenger Guide

August 4, 2025 | 06:45 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In an emergency situation on an airplane, knowing what to do is crucial. This was highlighted by a recent incident on Thursday, July 26, 2025, when an American Airlines plane experienced a small fire on the runway of Denver International Airport. Passengers reportedly panicked and scrambled to exit the aircraft during the evacuation.

The aircraft, originally scheduled for Miami, encountered mechanical issues with its landing gear. All 173 passengers and six crew members aboard the Boeing 737 MAX 8 were successfully evacuated using inflatable slides. Only one individual sustained minor injuries, requiring hospital treatment.

Danielle Fette, a passenger on the flight, recounted the atmosphere of panic and disorder. "I could feel the plane pull to left and I could smell the burning brakes. I could hear the people in the back of the plane, screaming, ‘The plane is on fire. We’re going to die, get us off the plane,'" the Fort Lauderdale resident shared, as quoted by Travel + Leisure.

Panic and the Urgency to Exit

Fette noted that the pilot effectively managed the situation. However, she derived several crucial lessons from the experience. "I’m not trying to instill fear. The pilots handled everything incredibly well. I’m simply sharing what I learned in hopes that it might help others be prepared," stated Fette, who previously worked as a trauma nurse.

Firstly, she observed that many passengers panicked and immediately retrieved items from overhead compartments, with some even pushing children aside. Fette acknowledged that no one can truly predict their reaction in such a terrifying scenario. Yet, given her background as a trauma nurse, her immediate instinct was to exit the plane as swiftly as possible and create space for others to follow.

Practical Tips for Emergencies

Sneakers Over Flip-Flops

Secondly, Fette emphasized the importance of wearing sneakers or other closed-toe shoes when flying. As one of the first to evacuate, she noticed some passengers struggled to move efficiently due to wearing flip-flops and other open-toed footwear. Some even lost their shoes while descending the emergency slide.

She further added that closed-toe shoes can help prevent burns in certain situations, as tarmac can become extremely hot. "I never thought it could help me in an emergency," she remarked.

Keep Essentials Accessible

Thirdly, Fette suggested that passengers carry essential items in easily accessible locations, such as a shoulder bag. This eliminates the need to struggle with retrieving a bag from the overhead compartment during an emergency, which can significantly impede the evacuation process.

Understanding Exit Row Responsibilities

For those selecting seats in the exit row, Fette urged a re-evaluation of the associated responsibility. Occupants of exit row seats are expected to assist during an emergency. While she typically chose these seats for the extra legroom, she admitted, "But after this experience, I’m reevaluating whether I could really push open those doors."

Addressing Improper Evacuation Procedures

Meanwhile, flight instructor Ben Watts also commented on the American Airlines incident, specifically highlighting passengers who carried bags while exiting via the emergency slides. In a post on his Instagram account, @airlinepilotperformance, he outlined three critical reasons why descending an inflatable slide with personal belongings can create significant evacuation problems.

Firstly, it can considerably slow down the evacuation process for all passengers and crew members. Secondly, bags and other personal items risk damaging the emergency slide itself. Thirdly, carrying items while sliding down can complicate evacuation for individuals assisting children.

"This poses a real safety risk, and although all passengers and crew thankfully evacuated with only a minor injury reported in this incident, the potential for far more catastrophic consequences is very real," he wrote, as reported by Express UK.

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