They reverse the engines when they land. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_reversal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_reversal The wiki article on ditchin

They reverse the engines when they land. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_reversal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_reversal The wiki article on ditching is a little rough, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditching#Commercial_aircraft http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditching#Commercial_aircraft ...but it seems like this procedure isn't done often enough with jets that we could honestly assess how difficult it might be. I suppose it's just like a normal landing, but doing it so gently that it doesn't break apart.