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Old 20th Aug 2002, 21:39
  #151 (permalink)  
sycamore
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: east ESSEX
Posts: 4,673
Received 70 Likes on 45 Posts
ditching

A few points to consider from way back ;
use all of the collective on "landing", for control and it also gets rid of the rotor energy as you ditch,
the tail-rotor might break,so you will lose yaw control and might roll either way,even if pre-planned,
the doors may provide some rigidity to the fuselage ,so,it may not be a good idea to open them too early.They will also prevent water coming in and may provide a bit of buoyancy time.
keep the as/c as level as you can as blades striking the water can turn the a/c over,before they break.
having briefed the pax. prior to flight-Do not release your harness until the a/c has settled,you may end up upside down or get flung around and unconscious/injured,
release your harness as the water fills the cockpit/cabin to your chest BUT dont let go of the strap on the out-board side,as it provides you with an orientation point/reference,as you will lose all sense of orientation ,if the a/c turns over.Release doors/em.exits,take a deep breath at the same time and grab a door-frame to pull yourself out-let go if you are free;if not try another route-if you release your harness too early you will float up,whichever way that is!I know as I`ve done it in the Dunker-from the cockpit ,under the pilot`s`seat and out thru` the cabin! ;;Want to try it at night??
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