Lost 1st. engine 3:50 into planned 4:30 flight
radioed Mayday -- KLM relayed
unspecified time later second engine lost.
Dark -- at 3000' began looking for place to land -- wanted to land on ice close to water -- don't remember why the close to water -- depth perception difficult
Hard impact -- sudden stop -- windows smashed in by water and ice -- cabin filled to roof instantly
Getting out is what it's all about
Both left via broken windows
Pulled life jacket toggles and popped to surface [most fortunately not to bottom of ice
]
helicopters quickly on scene but had no means to signal as flare gun left inside -- no flash light -- lights on life jackets failed to activate
1 helo as close as 100-200m
[good reasons to carry PLB and light in survival suit pockets]
seriously uncomfortable night spent in survival suits -- lots of rubbing and jumping around to keep warm, but still recovering from frostbite on feet and hands.
At daybreak morale up and first spotted ship as a light on horizon while walking to shore as definitely not up to another night on ice -- once ship apparent started waving lifejackets -- that and the orange survival suits got the ship's attention and they came and got them
very weak when ship picked them up -- aerial search had been called off
phoned wife from ship to find police telling her that search had been called off and he was presumed lost.
Excellent care for hypothermia and frost bite received from ship's crew.
Buy Canadian shrimp