Thoughts on single engine ops across Lake Michigan?

[fholbert]

What surprises me is that people cross large bodies of water without a life vest. I keep a couple of these in the hangar for flights to Catalina Island, I'm the only guy I see climb out with a vest on.

 

[ozziecat35]

I used to fly off the SW corner of Florida, after fueling up in Naples, all the way down to Key West. Straight shot south, 110mi open water crossing.

However, I knew the aircraft, flew on good weather days, max altitude with O2, life raft and floatation devices on board, back up radio, etc. Never felt unsafe, never felt irresponsible. Never had an issue, and always prepared for if I did.

My $.02 YMMV

Good point about limitations being pilot specific as well. It also sounds like you have all your bases covered when it comes to what if situations.

Appreciate all the input folks.

 

[Adler]

Remember July 23rd 2010 when an single engine Cessna 206 crashed into Lake Michigan trying to cross with 5 aboard, 1 made it.

Weren't there other unfortunate circumstances to those deaths? I had heard the pilot lowered the flaps for a slower touchdown, but the pax doors wouldn't open with the flaps down.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Weren't there other unfortunate circumstances to those deaths? I had heard the pilot lowered the flaps for a slower touchdown, but the pax doors wouldn't open with the flaps down.

The rear door interferes with the flaps extended on a 206. I always brief passengers on how to open the door, and to muster all of the strength they can to open it in flight. Probably would not attempt using flaps to ditch a 206 anyway. I have only ever flown a 206 over water, out of glide distance. Life vests, waterproof airband radio, waterproof GPS, drinking water are always on board. Done at altitude, you have a lot of options. While you won't make land, the odds of seeing a ship you can glide to are quite good. I keep a watch of where there are ships I can make it to. Any ship at sea will come to your aid if they know where you are - they guard 156.8/Channel 16 VHF. The odds of successfully egress from a ditching are incredibly good. And as long as SAR knows where you are, your odds of being picked up within 24 hours are also exceedingly good. Your odds of surviving if you are found within 24 hours are excellent.

Some points to consider - a twin is just as likely to ditch as a single is. Survival rates for ocean and coastal ditching in either are above 85%. With proper survival equipment, and SAR knowing your location, it is even higher than that. The main things that will keep you alive? Filing a flight plan, notifying ATC immediately, wearing a life vest, and having a submersible radio.

Looking at the numbers, I feel much safer flying over open water in daylight VFR than I do over mountains IMC at night.

Here's one report I found: EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm) - Ditching Myths Torpedoed!

 

[I'm gone]

Thanks for the report drunken beagle, interesting read.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Thanks for the report drunken beagle, interesting read.

Thanks!

Can't vouch for the numbers or references, but they look accurate to me.

Survival equipment seems to be the biggest thing you can do. As one pilot I know says about the chute he wears. "Well, I thought about it, and those last 90 seconds of my life I don't want to be thinking how cheap $1500 for a parachute really was."