Jennifer Lawrence Recalls Near-Death Experience on Private Plane
In 2017, Jennifer Lawrence shared a harrowing experience from a private flight. While traveling from her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, to New York City, both engines of the plane failed, prompting an emergency landing.
The actress recounted the moment during a podcast, noting that even the pilot believed they were doomed. “One engine failed,” she explained, “and we only had one engine, so we had to make an emergency landing.” Lawrence was accompanied by a family friend who, trying to lighten the mood, commented, “You can still hear the other engine, so you know everything’s okay.” However, that reassurance quickly faded for her.
As she recalled the situation, she noted, “We were literally going to die.” Lawrence had her dog Pippi on her lap at the time and felt particularly distressed for her furry companion. “She didn’t sign up for this,” she added, reflecting on the fear they both faced.
During the tense moments leading up to the landing, she attempted to leave heartfelt voicemails to loved ones, conveying a sense of closure. Lawrence vividly described her thoughts: “I started praying, not to the particular God I grew up with… but I hoped we might survive. I thought, maybe I’ll be a burn victim, but please don’t let me go bald.”
As their approach continued and the pilot diverted to Buffalo for landing, she saw emergency vehicles on the runway and thought, “Maybe I’m going to crash…” But unexpectedly, the plane caught enough wind to stabilize briefly before they landed safely. “The firefighters broke the door open, and we all hugged and cried,” she recounted, emphasizing the relief felt in that moment.
Lawrence has spoken about her fear of flying in the past, jokingly stating, “If I’m on a private plane, I deserve to die.” However, it’s clear that the experience left a lasting impact on her. “I still have anxiety about flying,” she admitted, highlighting how vulnerability entered her life following that day. “Flying is scary, and I have to work through it.”
