Ground Evacuation

- James Albright (a former G450 driver)

Updated: 2012-09-11

There are two QRH checklists, one for "Planned Airplane Evacuation" on page EI-5 and another for "Emergency Airplane Evacuation" on S-58, the back cover. The back cover procedure is convenient, but leaves a few steps out. If you have time, you should run the planned checklist inside the Final Approach Fix.

 Checklists

If you get a chance, prior to landing ... open the outflow valve and let tower know how many people are on board, the fuel on board, and your evacuation intentions (out the main cabin door and forward of the aircraft, for example.

Make note of the wind and attempt to stop the aircraft so the location of the fire is downwind of your planned exit point.

Get the QRH, closed, in position where the pilot can access it — the evacuation checklist is on the back. After landing the captain directs: “Open the outflow valve, call tower, after landing get the passengers out. I will accomplish the rest of the checklist."

The back page of the QRH has the items in bold, the missing items from EI-5 are in italics:

Airplane . . . STOP
PARK / EMERG . . . SET
Ground Spoilers . . . OFF
Speed Brakes . . . STOW
Flaps . . . DOWN
CABIN PRESSURE CONTROL . . . MANUAL
OUTFLOW Valve . . . FULL OPEN
ATC . . . NOTIFY
L / R FUEL CONTROL Switches . . . OFF
APU MASTER . . . OFF
L / R FIRE HANDLES . . . PULL
L / R FIRE Handles (If Required) . . . ROTATE FULLY TO DISCH 1 / DISCH 2
L / R BATTERIES . . . OFF
Passengers / Crew . . . EVACUATE

 Cabin Preparation

Give an overview briefing to the cabin attendant, if you have one. Otherwise, brief the passengers directly.

The cabin emergency lights will illuminate on impact or if the aircraft battery power is lost; position a flashlight with the passengers.

Reseat Able Bodied Passengers (ABP) near exits and brief them on operation of the main cabin door.

Reseat pregnant women, children, and infirm passengers in aft facing seats, assign each an ABP. Large passengers, those who won't fit through the window exits, should be briefed to use the main cabin door.

Brief ABP's on the operation of exits, have them repeat your instructions. Know how to describe the main cabin door operation: "Lift the T-handle and hold it up. Push the bar up and and step back." 

 Aircraft Exits

The main cabin door is your primary exit, but it may not always be available. Ensure ABP's understand how to operate the overwing exits too.

 Life Line

It isn't likely, but you might find yourself in need of the life line inside the overwing exits. These attach to points along the fuselage near the window exits to the wing itself:

During a ditching the wing attach point may be submerged.