Pilots train for rapid descents in emergencies

Question: I’m not scared of crashing. I’m scared of an emergency and needing to take a “nosedive.” How often does that happen?

– Melissa

Answer: Airplanes do not “take a nosedive.” There are conditions, such as a loss of cabin pressurization, when a rapid descent is required. This is a controlled maneuver pilots practice in the flight simulator. It is not a dangerous maneuver. The need for a very rapid descent is rare. There is nothing to be scared about; the airplane is fully under control. In 2017, airlines flew 4.5 billion passengers on 45 million flights without a single accident in a commercial jet.

Q: What is the procedure for a diversion due to a medical emergency? On a recent trip from Houston to Orlando, there was a medical emergency on our flight, and we were very close to New Orleans. Once the decision was made to divert, we immediately started (what seemed like) the quickest descent I have ever experienced. Does air-traffic control hold incoming planes to allow diversions to land sooner?

– Erin B., Galveston, Texas

A: A medical emergency is handled by air-traffic control as a priority.

Similar to your flight, I had a medical emergency on a flight from Philadelphia to Tampa. A passenger had a major medical problem when we were nearly overhead Greensboro, North Carolina. After advising ATC and receiving a descent clearance, we began a very rapid descent, landing about 12 minutes later. It was much faster than a normal approach and landing. Professional pilots and controllers are trained for such circumstances, but it is very challenging.

John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways.