Will is an engineer and the novel’s primary protagonist. In Drowning’s large cast, Will is the character Newman tends to focus on the most, exploring his internal conflict, his reasons for traveling, and his motivation for getting the passengers out of the plane safely. His drive to save his daughter and the lingering conflict with his wife, Chris, are the story’s emotional core.

Will’s engineering expertise enables the passengers’ survival; he designs offshore oil rigs, and his understanding of the trade winds surrounding the island of Molokai allows him to predict the worsening fire and dangerous conditions outside the plane. When he demands that the surviving passengers seal themselves inside the plane, the idea initially sounds absurd, but it turns out to be what saves them. Will’s actions and expertise continue to drive the plot forward. Intelligent, perceptive, and protective of his daughter, his competence becomes vital to the passengers’ survival as he and Chris come to the same conclusions about the best way to rescue the group. In Shannon’s words, Will “obsesses over what can go wrong” (35), and while the 11-year-old finds his caution stifling, it ultimately proves invaluable.