Originally Posted by
Maoraigh1
Question: Would it be safer to ditch in water just off the beach??
(This is an accident scenario that could happen to me.)
I agree with the poster above that the pilot likely intended to touch down on the hard wet sand. If you mean safer for humans, I think any of us would take that sand. Whether it is "safer" involves risk to people on the beach and in the water.
This was just unfortunate in the tumbling sequence. It had the potential for neck damage, and blunt force trauma without shoulder restraints. Not that great a situation for a 90 year old gentleman. The last seconds would have went better with a firm tail plant in the water when there was still elevator effectiveness to do that. Can't fault the guy for trying to make the sand, though.