Procedure
When you decide that the ship must be abandoned,
give the alarm by interphone and alarm bell, at which time the engineer and rear gunner release the emergency doors.
The first warning informs the crew that they must prepare to bail out.
The second warning is an order to the crew to jump. As each crew member gets ready to leave the plane, he advises you by interphone that he is leaving.
How To Jump
- Face rear of ship and place hands on structure above rear of hatch.
- Lower legs through opening. The slipstream will carry your legs up against the underpart of the fuselage. Twist your shoulder to the left to prevent injury to the head on the way out. Push away from the plane with your hands.
- When you are sure that you are clear of the plane, look directly at the ripcord release and take hold of the handle.
- Straighten your legs, keeping your feet together, and pull the release. In a low-altitude jump, pull the release as soon as possible.
For further information on bailout technique consult your
Pilot's Information File.
The order in which the crew leaves the plane is as follows:
Forward Hatch:
- Engineer
- Bombardier-navigator
- Copilot
- Pilot
Rear Hatch:
- Gunner
- Radio operator
If you have had a hydraulic failure, be sure that the bomb bay doors are not partially open when you jump. These doors fall open 2/3 of the way when the hydraulic system loses its pressure.
Procedure for Reclosing Bomb Bay Doors
- Open inner door—this door will not open with the bomb bay door crank installed.
- Install crank on coupling.
- Close doors and fasten crank to floor.
- Complete bailout procedure.