Originally Posted by
skadi
Are you sure he knew about the incomplete inflatement?
If the pilot was looking outside, which is where you tend to look when looking for an emergency landing spot, a pilot sitting in the right seat should see that the floats on the right side were not inflated. And the flight asymmetry I should think would be a pretty good clue.
And as for ditching in freezing cold water with only one side inflated, or none inflated, particularly with all passengers basically tied to the aircraft, and if there was 500' altitude to come up with an alternative, then the option chosen resulted in the inevitable outcome.