Introduction

Would a person die if they fell into the ocean from an aeroplane vertically? This question is often asked, and the answer is grim. Falling from such a height without a parachute would be akin to hitting solid concrete, as we will explore in this article. We will discuss the physics of such a fall, the impact on the human body, and the rare instances where survival is possible.

Understanding the Physics of the Fall

When a person falls from a great height, the terminal velocity plays a crucial role. Terminal velocity is the highest velocity that a falling object attains when the force of air resistance balances the force of gravity. Without a parachute, the terminal velocity of a human is approximately 120 mph (193 km/h) when falling feet-first, and around 200 mph (322 km/h) when falling head-first. These speeds are comparable to hitting a solid object at these velocities, making survival highly unlikely.

The Impact of Hitting the Water

The ocean, despite being water, is not as soft as it might seem. At terminal velocity, hitting the water is just as hard as hitting concrete. The impact can cause severe internal injuries, leading to fatal outcomes. Even when skydivers use specialized suits, their speed can reach up to 500 km/h (above 300 mph) in a head-first position, which is still not survivable.

Survival Possibilities and Real-World Cases

Despite the generally fatal nature of such falls, there is one reported incident where survival was possible. A woman fell 33,000 feet (approximately 10,000 meters) after her plane exploded mid-air. The snow-covered mountains below cushioned her fall, making her survival barely possible. However, even in this rare case, the fall was so severe that when she was eventually pulled out of the water, her body felt like a jelly-like mass, similar to that of someone who had fallen from a skyscraper.

Conclusion

The chances of surviving a fall from an aeroplane into the ocean are extremely slim. The speed, impact, and the internal injuries sustained make survival highly improbable. Without the proper equipment and the right circumstances, a person would likely die due to severe internal injuries or unconsciousness caused by the fall. In natural scenarios, the best bet is that the fall would result in death.