Loss of Power Over Water. Ditch it, or Beach it Photos

[Capt Fathom]

Originally Posted by reefrat

Old bush trick, to check out a beach for landing drive a ute on it ,if you can get to 80 kph its suitable, NB do not engage 4wd.

That only works if you can unload your passengers whilst doing 80 kph.

[SASless]

A Water landing adds some survival problems....getting out of the aircraft....and staying afloat afterwards....and in cold water...getting out of the water into a raft or ashore. In some waters....you could become Shark Bait.

Far better to be upside down on dry sand if you are going to be upside down upon landing.

The one real plus side to being in the water is the risk of a bad fire is minimized for sure.

But when the Environmental Protection Folks come calling...it could get very expensive.

[Lead Balloon]

Originally Posted by jonkster

have a look at Paul Bertorelli's video where he does the stats on ditching. Gear doesn't seem to be that much of an issue.https://youtu.be/0LwGYBBhTss

Interesting.

Thanks jonkster.

[fineline]

Caveat: Low hours pilot, coastal area, fixed gear. Those initial photos mostly look survivable? Depending on where you are, the surf conditions could also be a factor. Ditch in a rough sea and you have a whole new problem set even if you exit before sinking, plenty of people drown in rough surf / strong currents without already having been knocked about in a plane crash. My plan: option 1 is on the beach, with the harder sand just above current tide mark as a "nice to have", failing that (people, rocks) option 2 is calm waters close inshore, failing that (breakers) then ditch further out, jam something in the door/canopy and pray.

[Capt Fathom]

And know and follow the procedures laid down in the Aircraft manual for Forced Landing and Ditching. You see so many occasions where the pilot has failed to ‘fly’ the aeroplane. For example, a few of those photos above show aircraft with flaps still up.