With the recent news of a harrowing, but ultimately miraculous, emergency plane landing in the Hudson River, airborne passengers have perhaps been a bit tense during their travels. But Emerson Drive lead singer Brad Mates and his wife, Jana, had good reason for their nerves to be rattled during a recent flight from Maine to Nashville.

The couple were on a plane that was diverted to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, reports GAC, when the pilot announced they needed a longer runway. Flight attendants reminded the passengers of emergency-crash instructions, repeatedly warning them to "duck and brace, duck and brace," although never telling them why.

Upon landing, the crew explained that the flaps on the wings were not working properly and couldn't slow the plane enough to ensure a smooth landing.

"When we touched down, you could feel the plane was moving faster than it usually does for a normal landing," Mates recalls. "When the pilots pushed on the brakes, the plane vibrated, and then we finally came to a stop. I lifted my head from the crash position and looked out of the window to see several fire trucks, ambulances and other safety vehicles."

A roar of applause for the pilot and crew erupted from the cabin before the passengers exited safely.

Next up for Emerson Drive is their latest album, 'Believe,' which is due in the spring.