What Do Pilots Say When Crashing? The Truth Behind the Words

Have you ever wondered what pilots say when their plane is crashing? You might have seen movies or heard stories where pilots say dramatic or heroic things before they hit the ground. But is that really what happens in real life?

In this article, we will reveal the truth behind the words that pilots use when they face a life-threatening situation in the air.

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

The most common word that pilots use when their plane is in danger is Mayday. This is a word that means “help me” in French, and it is used as a universal distress signal by pilots all over the world. Pilots say Mayday three times in a row to make sure that Air Traffic Control and other planes hear them clearly. They also give their identification, location, and nature of the emergency. For example, they might say something like this:

• “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Delta Flight 123. We have engine failure and we are losing altitude. We are 20 miles south of Atlanta. Requesting immediate assistance.”

By saying Mayday, pilots are asking for urgent help and hoping that someone can rescue them or guide them to a safe landing.

Easy Victor, Easy Victor

Sometimes, pilots may also use the phrase Easy Victor to warn the crew and passengers to prepare for an evacuation. This is a more subtle way of saying that the plane is going to crash, without causing panic or confusion. Easy Victor is also used as a code word for hijacking or bomb threat. For example, they might say something like this:

• “Easy Victor, Easy Victor. This is the captain speaking. We have a situation on board and we need to land as soon as possible. Please remain calm and follow the instructions of the crew.”

By saying Easy Victor, pilots are telling the people on the plane that something is wrong and that they need to get ready to leave the plane quickly.

Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan

Another word that pilots may use when their plane is in trouble is Pan-Pan. This is similar to Mayday, but it means that the situation is serious but not life-threatening. Pilots use Pan-Pan when they have a problem that affects the safety of the flight, but they do not need to land right away. For example, they might say something like this:

• “Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan. This is United Flight 456. We have a medical emergency on board. We have a passenger who is having a heart attack. We are requesting priority landing at Chicago.”

By saying Pan-Pan, pilots are alerting Air Traffic Control and other planes that they have a problem and that they need some help, but they are not in immediate danger.

Oh God, Oh Shit

There are also some words that pilots may say when they know that they are going to die and that there is nothing they can do to save themselves or their plane. These are usually words that express fear, shock, or regret. For example, they might say something like this:

• “Oh God, oh God, oh God. We’re going down. We’re going down. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. We’re out of control. We’re out of control. This is it. This is it.”

These are the words that pilots say when they have no hope and no time to do anything else. They are the words that are recorded by the cockpit voice recorder or the last radio transmission before the plane crashes.

Nothing

However, the most common thing that pilots say when their plane is crashing is nothing. This is because they are too busy trying to save their lives and their plane. They do not talk to anyone or say anything. They just focus on flying the plane and following their training. They do not have time to think about anything else. They do not feel fear or panic. They just fight to survive.

This is what one pilot said after he crashed his plane and survived:

• “Being a pilot that has crashed, I can tell you that you’re not saying anything to anyone. You are too busy trying to save your life and your plane. No talks to air traffic control or grandiose-type Hollywood speeches. Every fiber in your being is fighting to survive. There is no fear. You revert back to your training and all of your focus is on flying.”

This is what most pilots do when they face a life-threatening situation in the air. They do not say anything. They just fly the plane.

Conclusion

The words that pilots say when their plane is crashing are not always what you might expect. They are not always dramatic or heroic. They are sometimes simple or silent. They depend on the type and severity of the emergency, the time and options available, and the personality and emotions of the pilot. The words that pilots say when their plane is crashing are the words that reflect their reality and their humanity.

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