As news of the VQ-TLG ditching on Friday July 24, 2009 at Salt Cay circled around the Turk and Caicos Islands, it brought back memories of the N126ST which ditched on my watch two years ago, almost to the date. Remaining calm during these emergencies is what makes the difference between perishing and surviving.
As news of the VQ-TLG ditching on Friday July 24, 2009 at Salt Cay circled around the Turk and Caicos Islands, it brought back memories of the N126ST which ditched on my watch two years ago, almost to the date. Remaining calm during these emergencies is what makes the difference between perishing and surviving.
Thinking back to that day in July 2007, when the pilot reported that he was ditching, there was no anxiety or excitement in his voice. It seemed as though this was a regular day in the office for him. When I requested the distance and bearing for the airport, the response came once again with indication that there was trouble in the air.
I now believe that many years of experience, discipline, and learning from the past experiences of other ditchings play a role in these successful outcomes.
Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III, who ditched a US Airways jetliner (A320) with 155 people aboard in the Hudson River perhaps epitomizes the word “calm”. His aircraft lost power in both engines after striking birds on take from La Guardia Airport in January 2009. All on board were safely rescued.
VQ-TLG ditched at Salt Cay, July 2009
N162ST ditched 15 miles from Providenciales, July 2007
UPDATE
AUTOBIOGRAPHY: In his autobiography, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters
, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger speaks about his life experiences and the events surrounding the ditching of US Air flight 1549 in the Hudson river.
RECORDINGS: Listen to the FAA ATC recordings US Air Flight 1549 that made an emergency water landing in the Hudson River after experiencing a catastrophic bird strike to both engines causing both engines to lose thrust.
I am Wayne, a career air traffic controller. Engage me while I share my thoughts, experience, and news from the aviation world. 
5 Responses
Very good informal coverage of interesting aviation subject matter. Keep up the good work. It does support those of us who do not have as much time to do all the research necessary to obtain the information fron the various sources.
Thanking you for doing it for those like me.
Hi,
I saw rescue operation after ditching of VQ-TLG on Salt Cay. It happend on FRIDAY 24.7.2009, not Saturday. If you want some photos from the rescue, let me know to my E-mail.
In response to the question, maybe only a pilot will have the answer or someone who would have experienced such a situation. From experience, aviation is a field that corrects mistakes and mishaps preventing any reoccurances. However, our training covers emergency procedures and our experiences assist us in the handling of such incidents and accidents.
Yes, I am sure skills/art and experience come into play when trying to ditch, but then again there is also divine intervention.
Thanks for sharing these imformation Wayne.