Approach with the landing gear retracted, full flaps and enough power to maintain approximately 300 ft/min. rate of descent at approximately 90 KIAS. (Note: This speed, about 100 MPH, is high to ensure continuous control of the aircraft, with good elevator and rudder control, to avoid a stall or a wing tip from hitting or letting the tail touch first.) Maintain a continuous descent until touch-down to avoid flaring and touching down tail first, pitching forward sharply, and decelerating rapidly. Before impact, turn both fuel-control switches to OFF and feather both props. Strive for initial contact at fuselage area below rear cabin section. It is expected that the airplane will skip clear of the water once or twice using the optimum technique outlined above. If final contact is made in the desired level attitude, the nose will submerge completely during two or three seconds of moderately abrupt deceleration, and then the airplane will float for a short time. Exit through the cabin door or emergency window. If the fuselage is submerged and the exits will not open, flood the cabin through the pilot's storm window and door window, then jettison the emergency window. If necessary, break out the windows. (Your use of this material is subject to the terms in "Disclaimer and Release" below.)
The information on this page is for relatively long over-water flights (see Disclaimer below). Many of these procedures can be dispensed with for shorter flights, such as flights to the Bahamas, where virtually all keep you within 50 nm of land. In fact, for such flights, the FAA doesn't even require a life jacket (although I always carry them). The need is reduced further for twin-engined aircraft like the Skymaster. Nevertheless, the prudent pilot ought to be over-informed, to be ready for any emergency, regardless of how unlikely. So, even for shorter flights, you should at least read this once and I highly recommend keeping a copy in your flight bag. INTRODUCTION
Hand-held Electronics. Carry two radios, one marine-band and one aviation-band, both encased in waterproof plastic pouches (sold at marine stores). Also carry a GPS. Check to ensure fully-charged batteries and proper functioning on all 3 units. Survival Gear. Carry one life jacket for each occupant. A raft large enough for all occupants is highly recommended, but learn how to use it (never try to exit aircraft with it, get it after you exit). Carry at least one-half gallon jug of water per occupant (I like the 3/4 gallon jugs of Tropicana OJ with a 3-foot fishing line tied to the handle so that it may be tied to occupant's life jacket after exiting aircraft). Carry a signal mirror, survival knife, flares (see the Aviation Survival page of www.equipped.org for more info).
Aircraft. Make absolutely certain that it's perfect. Check that you have plenty of fuel for the trip plus a margin of at least one hour (based on actual, recent consumption data and visual check of fuel level). Review your aircraft's fuel management procedures (the author's Fuel Management Page may be of assistance).
Weather. Check it with several forecasters (on the Internet, use www.weather.com, www.accuweather.com, www.intellicast.com) and with the FAA just before departure. For VFR flights, make absolutely certain that all of these forecasts call for perfect weather for the whole trip and for 6 hours thereafter.
Final Check. After making above preparations, familiarize yourself with the checklist and procedures listed below. If you ditch, the most important thing is for you to remain calm and avoid panic. Virtually all ditchings are survivable. Mentally prepare yourself for a violent impact with possible injuries -- but you will survive if you calmly follow the instructions below, and if your mind-set is "I won't give up, I'm gonna make it!"
(Key points: distress calls & staying buckled)
- Look for Nearby Vessel. Head for it so you can ditch where they can see you.
- Transponder. Set to 7700 (and remember to stay calm, you're gonna make it!).
- Distress calls. Accomplish on 121.5 or 122.8 or CH 16. Give GPS position.
- Survival gear. Locate them, place them nearby, advise each pax what to take.
- Lifejacket. Locate it, then put it on or put bag under your shirt. Don't inflate.
- Survey. Find all exits and how to open them, and location relative to you.
- Articles. Secure them to avoid projectiles. Use soft ones to cushion occupants.
- Door. Open it a crack below 100 MPH, then rotate handle to locked position.
- Headsets. Remove and secure them.
- Seatbelts. Tighten. Do not remove until instructed below (key rule).
- Relax. Avoid shock. Expect huge impact, water blasting in, windshield shards.
- Approach, touch-down. Follow procedure below.
- Orient. After stop remain buckled. Find exit path (door is best) & grab exit edge.
- Upright. Figure out which way is up. Use light, not bubbles (too turbulent).
- Unbuckle, Exit. Hold exit edge, unbuckle belt, pull yourself out, get survival gear.
- Float. Do not allow yourself to float towards air bubble in upended rear of aircraft.
- Assist. After you're out, take a breath and go back to assist others or get items.
(Based on U.S. Air Force O-2A procedure, courtesy of Don Nieser)Try to ditch within view of a ship, after overflying it to ensure they see you. Plan approach into the wind if wind is high and seas are heavy. With light wind, land parallel to swells, being careful not to allow a wing tip to hit first. (Note: This suggests a parallel-to-swells landing even with heavy swells if wind is light, but avoidance of a wing-tip hit is crucial, so ensure that swell crests are much farther apart than wingspan, allowing the aircraft to fit between swell crests without hitting a wing tip first.)
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