Trivia: The stunt early on in the film where Eric Qualen and his team do the plane to plane transfer was performed by British stuntman Simon Crane. The stunt was performed at an altitude of 2.95 miles (4.75 km) and was the most expensive stunt ever performed costing £568,000(£1 million). Sly Stallone is said to have reduced his fee by that amount to ensure the stunt was made.
Trivia: In an interview with GQ, John Lithgow revealed that he was originally supposed to be the film's secondary villain, with Christopher Walken playing the main antagonist. However, Walken exited the project, leading to Lithgow being promoted to main antagonist.
Answer: For one, they fell into snow which would have softened the blow. Also, as common in aviation or even just cases that are meant to contain valuables like money, they are designed to withstand impacts or attempts to break them open.
Quantom X ★
Wouldn't the bad guys have to spend what could be weeks trying to find the money if the cases were to break open?
Probably yes.
Quantom X ★
Potentially, yes. However, in the film they remained intact.
Snow softened the blow? I thought objects went through snow.