A320 Ditching QRH
 

Hello all

my company unfortunately uses their own tech. publications as opposed to Airbus. this has me regularly scratching about certain things we do.
Latest case in point:

in the ditching checklist Airbus directs pilots to set a lading elevation to 00 prior to ditching.
my company has us set the landing elevation to 1000 to ditch with the cabin de-pressurized.e would it b to open the doors and/or windows more easily?
It does make sense to me.
Any idea as to why Airbus wants us to ditch with a cabin that may still be pressurized ? the pressurization schedule has the cabin slightly over pressurized for a normal landing and return to landing elevation pressure shortly after touchdown. Since the ditching P/B is pushed prior to ditching, is this schedule even the same?

According to FCOM "PRESS control panel to close the outflow valve, the emergency ram air inlet, the avionics ventilation inlet and extract valves, the pack flow control valves, and the FWD cargo outlet isolation valve."

Just thinking aloud. Since every exterior valve is closed, if you ditched slightly pressurised (Airbus recommended) and the fuselage (which is now a hull) remained in tact - then you'd have a water tight boat for a short while. Since your hull will remain afloat - then there is more time to prepare to evacuate once the differential pressure is lost.

If you ditched depressurised, then submerged seals would start to admit water and you'd have less time.

Is it possible that slightly pressurised improves the ditchworthiness of the hull?

makes sense to me. thanks again Golden.