I’ve been thinking again. I apologize. But actually, it’s a thought that I’ve been continually turning over in my mind. The thought keeps coming back to my forethoughts every time a large airplane runs off the end of a runway while landing. This is especially true when a lot of people die, as in the recent case of a plane running into a wall, killing all but two.

I saw the video many times, which was far too many times. I apologize. I keep thinking there must be an easy, inexpensive way to allow disabled planes to crash land relatively safely.

Unfortunately, I am not an engineer. I am limited to simple thoughts of common sense.

The miracle on the Hudson resulted in a safe water landing with few injuries, the greatest danger being the plane sinking before everyone exited.

The water was very cold but the rescue boats arrived quickly. Most passengers stepped from the plane to the wing and then onto the boats.

So, I looked at the video of the plane running into a wall and considered, wouldn’t it have been nice if there had been a pond nearby? Nothing very deep, perhaps four or five feet, possibly as much as ten. As I say, I’m not an engineer, so it would take some engineering and maybe some tests. They might even ask a test pilot to land a plane or two in the pond to gather some data to work with.

Ideally, the pond should be emptied or at least lowered after the plane stops. This would make it easier to rescue the passengers. If everything worked properly, there would be no need to hurry. The plane is not going to sink in one or two feet of water. A side benefit is that the risk of fire is greatly reduced. If there is a fire, water could be instantly sprayed from the sides of the pond.

I don’t think the plane would ever be reusable, but I believe that every passenger would be able to leisurely walk off the plane.

As for the expense, not all airports would need a pond. Besides, just how expensive is a pond that is about a thousand feet long and five hundred feet wide?

Who knows? It might actually add some looks to the airport.

Actually, it need not be right at the airport. Maybe as much as a mile away. It would be safer for regular air traffic. And, here’s the side benefit: It would draw the water birds away from the runways.

I suppose it could also be stocked with fish or even used as a fish farm. If it was never used in an emergency, it might still pay for itself.

it is just a thought. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if anyone stole it. Especially if it saved a few lives. I mean, even if it is designed for big planes, it could be used for small planes as well. It’s better to ditch that little Cessna in that pond than in that apartment building.

(Or Beach Craft, or Piper or whatever.)