B737 DITCHING Checklist. Massive workload in a few minutes...
•Send Distress Signal
On Captain's command, First Officer will transmit MAYDAY, establish
position, course, speed, altitude, situation, intention, time and position of
intended touchdown, type of aircraft, and request “SAR” intercept using
prevailing air to ground frequency. Set transponder code 7700 and, if
practical, advise Captain of course to nearest ship or landfall.
•Advise Crew And Passengers
Alert crew and passengers to prepare for ditching. If possible, move
passengers away from the rear exits towards overwing and forward exits.
Assign life raft positions and order all loose equipment in aircraft secured.
Put on life vest, shoulder harness, and seat belts.
WARNING: Do not inflate life vest until after exiting the aircraft.
WARNING: Do not open aft entry or aft service door(s) as they may be
partially submerged.
•Burn Off Fuel As Required
Consider burning fuel prior to ditching if emergency permits. This will
provide greater buoyancy and a lower VREF. However, do not reduce the
fuel to a critical amount, since ditching with thrust available improves the
ability to properly control touchdown.
•The terrain awareness alerting and terrain display functions (if installed)
should be inhibited by selecting the TERR INHIBIT switch to INHIBIT.
•Accomplish IN RANGE and APPROACH checklists.
•Plan a flap 40 landing unless other configuration is required.
- - - - - BELOW 5,000 FEET - - - - -
Aural Warning C/B (P6-3, D-18) .......................................................... PULL
Prevents warning horn with gear retracted and landing flaps selected.
Ground Proximity Warn C/B……………………................................ PULL
Ground Proximity Terrain Inhibit Switch (If Installed) ...................OVRD
Pack Switches.................................................... ..........................................OFF
Engine Bleed Air Switches.................................................... .....................OFF
Permits depressurizing the aircraft with outflow valve closed .
Pressurization Mode Selector ............................................. MAN DC / MAN
Enables manual control of outflow valve.
Outflow Valve Switch...................................................... ..................... CLOSE
Closed to prevent water from entering the aircraft.
APU Switch...................................................... ............................................OFF
Closes the fuel valve and air inlet door.
Flight Deck Loose Gear ............................................................ .........SECURE
Flight Deck Door........................................................ ............ SECURE OPEN
Life Vests ............................................................ ...........................................ON
Don life vests, but do not inflate until after exit from aircraft.
Shoulder Harnesses & Seatbelts................................................... ..............ON
Put on shoulder harnesses and seatbelts and adjust for snug, comfortable fit.
Passenger Cabin Preparation ....................................................COMPLETE
Verify passenger cabin preparations for ditching are complete. All
available food, fluids, flashlights, first aid kits, and other emergency
equipment confirmed ready for evacuation.
When ditching without life rafts on board, ascertain that Flight Attendants
are prepared to use the evacuation slides as life raft substitutes.
Seat passengers with life vests on and seat belts fastened.
Radio ...........................................................T RANSMIT FINAL POSITION
Transmit all pertinent information pertaining to: final ditching position,
weather and sea conditions, rescue instructions, and information if ship or
other available rescue unit is standing by and any other necessary
information.
Emergency Exit Lights...................................................... ...........................ON
Insures lighting is available after electrical power is lost.
- - - - - BEFORE LANDING - - - - -
Landing Gear........................................................ ........................... UP & OFF
Check all landing gear lights extinguished and landing gear lever in OFF
position.
Flaps ............................................................ ...................____ GREEN LIGHT
Extend flaps to 40 or appropriate landing flap for an existing emergency or
non-normal conditions.
•Advise crew and passengers “BRACE FOR IMPACT” when within
30 seconds of touchdown.
•Maintain airspeed at bug (VREF + Wind Additive) and 200 - 300 fpm
descent rate.
•Plan to touch down on upwind side and parallel to waves or swells if
possible.
•To accomplish flare, rotate smoothly to touchdown attitude of 4 - 5,
maintaining airspeed and rate of descent with thrust. After touchdown,
reduce thrust to idle.
- - - - - ON THE WATER - - - - -
Start Levers...................................................... .................................. CUTOFF
Provides positive shutdown of engines.
Engine Fire Handles..................................................... ........................... PULL
Closes fuel shutoff valves to prevent discharge of fuel from ruptured fuel
lines.
Initiate Evacuation ............................................................ ....PA COMMAND
Post Landing Duties ............................................................ ...ACCOMPLISH
•Captain Proceed to forward cabin area. Evaluate escape potential.
Supervise and assist cabin crew in evacuation of aircraft. Board and
take command of any raft, if available.
•First Officer Assist Captain and cabin crew in evacuation of
aircraft. Board and take command of any raft, if available.
•Observer Occupy a seat in the cabin if available. If qualified, assist
flight attendant in customer evacuation.
The aircraft may remain afloat indefinitely if fuel load is minimal and no serious
damage was sustained during landing.
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