As we all heard recently in the news iconic actor Harrison Ford was involved in a terrible plane accident when the World Ward 2 era plane was piloting suffered an engine failure. Ford has been a pilot for decades and has flown many different types of aircraft including helicopters. On March 5th he was piloting his 1942 Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR when the aircraft’s only engine went out leaving the plane without power. Ford was forced to crash land on a nearby golf course in Venice, California where he suffered several series injuries including a fractured pelvis, a broken ankle and several serious cuts including a head wound. He is currently in the hospital recovering from his injures and is expected to make a full recovery.
Ford remaining calm during the accident likely saved his life. When the plane lost power Ford immediately contacted the airport he had just left, reported his problem and requested that they clear him for an immediate landing. When it became clear that he wasn’t going to make it back to airport Ford kept his composure and looked for the best to place to land the aircraft.
“Your biggest problem is landing somewhere where you’re not going to hit something. He did that very well, landing on a golf course,” said ABC News’ aviation consultant John Nance. In that moment, as the plane lost power and began falling from the sky, Ford had the wherewithal to steer the plane left onto the golf course where he could put it down with little danger to others. Had he steered right and tried to return the airport he would have ended up over homes which could have led to him crashing into occupied buildings and harming or killing others.
Harrison Ford showed that the number one thing you can do during an accident is remain calm. The urge to panic will be there, but if you can remain calm you may reduce the amount of damage you take in the accident and you will likely have a better recollection of what happened during the accident. The more you can retain the better of you can be after the accident.
If you have been involved in an accident it is just as important that you remain calm after the accident has occurred. Take care of yourself first. Assess if you have any injuries before you try to help others. Take in the situation and try to remember as many details as you can. In the event that there is a lawsuit in regards to the accident those details you remembered while remaining calm can make all the difference in your case.