Another option that isn't really discussed is putting it down in water. Having gone through dunker training I can tell you that for the average person it can be worse than planting it in thick trees. However, landing in water is personally on my list of very survivable options. I would never attempt a water landing if there were passengers though.
The next thing that could kill you
- Thread starter BCTAv8r
- Start date
jgheggie
Well-Known Member
Dropped a mag at about 100ft after takeoff leaving Jekyll island Georgia at night in light fog. Granted, it was a multi engine aircraft. Still, it was enough to scare me into a proper briefing before takeoff. Before, and during flight training, I would just brief to make the cfi happy. My advice to students would be to actually think about what you are briefing and how you would execute the plan.
z987k
Well-Known Member
I've never seen a fixed gear not flip on water landing.
This time of year our water is about 45F. Youll never make shore or be alive for a rescue.
BaronPete
Jaw Harp Troubadour
I guess my point here was I've heard people argue the merits of landing against traffic because people see you and move out of the way etc.
Obviously, I've never had to do this, but it seems much more favorable to land with traffic due to hopefully similar velocities etc instead of counting on a soccer mom or someone texting and driving to move out of the way at a 160mph closure rate (80 for plane + 80 for car)
Roger Roger
I am le tired
That depends. The last 135 land plane that went into the water around here had several survivors (everyone who was able to get a life vest on iirc). Granted they had the deck stacked in their favor as far as rescue as it was right by about the second busiest heliport in the state.
Capt. Chaos
Well-Known Member
I remember that one well. The folks that didn't make it had their access to the life jackets in the seat pouches restricted by sheep skin seat covers and pretty much went into shock when they hit the water. It was also the accident which finally motivated the FAA to issue the Lycoming crank AD.
Roger Roger
I am le tired
I could be remembering incorrectly, but I thought it was the Slick impulse coupling AD.
Obviously if the water's freezing you shouldn't land in it but given the choice between thick trees or summer water, I'd choose the water.
Tommay85
Well-Known Member
Mountain Air just had a van go in the water down here last week. It flipped on touch down and the pilot survived.
The debate, land flat or slow? Our training recommends flat, but I don't think any of our planes would ever flip over, being retracts and much longer sans the Chieftain and 99. No idea what the Mountain Air guy did yet. I've read positives and negatives for both techniques.
The debate, land flat or slow? Our training recommends flat, but I don't think any of our planes would ever flip over, being retracts and much longer sans the Chieftain and 99. No idea what the Mountain Air guy did yet. I've read positives and negatives for both techniques.