Originally Posted by
abgd
There was a Turbulent ditched in shallow water in the UK recently, and the pilot was unable to get out by himself as the aircraft came to rest upside down on the cockpit. Luckily it was an airshow and he was rescued.
This has completely changed my views on potential water landings. I would now either choose to land on a beach or further out to sea, but never in the surf.
If I were flying a high wing aircraft such as a 172 I would be more likely to choose to land in shallow water.
Yes, but the issue that particular pilot had was nothing to do with the surf. His problem was that his lifejacket inflated automatically when he flipped over, thus preventing him from undoing his harness! He survived simply because he was so close to the shore that onlookers could wade in the surf and lift the aircraft so that he didn't drown.
Moral - aircraft and automatic lifejackets don't necessarily mix.