Abstract: A device comprises a gas cutter in the form of an annular combustion chamber (10) provided with injectors and manifolds for delivery of oxidant and fuel into the combustion chamber (10) and an annular nozzle (9) adapted to cut an escape hatch out of the intact area of an aircraft hull. Mounted centrally in the combustion chamber is a punching-and-gripping means (8) fired into the wall to be cut for securing a gas cutter (6) thereto. This gas cutter together with oxidant and fuel bottles may be conveniently mounted between external and internal skins of an aircraft to serve as means for performing an independent autonomous rescue operation with the result that in the course of several seconds escape hatches may be cut in an aircraft hull with the maximum safety and dependability, without waiting for arrival of rescue parties at a crash scene.