Emergency Landings

Ditching in Water:

• A successful aircraft ditching is dependent on three primary factors
• In order of importance they are:
  • Sea conditions and wind
  • Type of aircraft
  • Skill and technique of pilot

Common Oceanographic Terminology:

• Sea: The condition of the surface that is the result of both waves and swells
• Wave (or Chop): The condition of the surface caused by the local winds
• Swell: The condition of the surface which has been caused by a distance disturbance
• Swell Face: The side of the swell toward the observer. The backside is the side away from the observer. These definitions apply regardless of the direction of swell movement
• Primary Swell: The swell system having the greatest height from trough to crest
• Secondary Swells: Those swell systems of less height than the primary swell
• Fetch: The distance the waves have been driven by a wind blowing in a constant direction, without obstruction
• Swell Period: The time interval between the passage of two successive crests at the same spot in the water, measured in seconds
• Swell Velocity: The speed and direction of the swell with relation to a fixed reference point, measured in knots. There is little movement of water in the horizontal direction. Swells move primarily in a vertical motion, similar to the motion observed when shaking out a carpet
• Swell Direction: The direction from which a swell is moving. This direction is not necessarily the result of the wind present at the scene. The swell may be moving into or across the local wind. Swells, once set in motion, tend to maintain their original direction for as long as they continue in deep water, regardless of changes in wind direction
• Swell Height: The height between crest and trough, measured in feet. The vast majority of ocean swells are lower than 12 to 15 feet, and swells over 25 feet are not common at any spot on the oceans. Successive swells may differ considerably in height

Ditching Procedure:

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• In order to select a good heading when ditching an aircraft, a basic evaluation of the sea is required
• Selection of a good ditching heading may well minimize damage and could save your life
• It can be extremely dangerous to land into the wind without regard to sea conditions; the swell system, or systems, must be taken into consideration
• Remember one axiom- AVOID THE FACE OF A SWELL

• Procedure:

  • In ditching parallel to the swell, it makes little difference whether touchdown is on the top of the crest or in the trough. It is preferable, however, to land on the top or back side of the swell, if possible. After determining which heading (and its reciprocal) will parallel the swell, select the heading with the most into the wind component
  • If only one swell system exists, the problem is relatively simple-even with a high, fast system. Unfortunately, most cases involve two or more swell systems running in different directions. With more than one system present, the sea presents a confused appearance. One of the most difficult situations occurs when two swell systems are at right angles. For example, if one system is eight feet high, and the other three feet, plan to land parallel to the primary system, and on the down swell of the secondary system. If both systems are of equal height, a compromise may be advisable-select an intermediate heading at 45 degrees down swell to both systems. When landing down a secondary swell, attempt to touch down on the back side, not on the face of the swell
  • If the swell system is formidable, it is considered advisable, in landplanes, to accept more crosswind in order to avoid landing directly into the swell
  • The secondary swell system is often from the same direction as the wind. Here, the landing may be made parallel to the primary system, with the wind and secondary system at an angle. There is a choice to two directions paralleling the primary system. One direction is downwind and down the secondary swell, and the other is into the wind and into the secondary swell, the choice will depend on the velocity of the wind versus the velocity and height of the secondary swell
• The simplest method of estimating the wind direction and velocity is to examine the windstreaks on the water. These appear as long streaks up and down wind. Some persons may have difficulty determining wind direction after seeing the streaks on the water. Whitecaps fall forward with the wind but are overrun by the waves thus producing the illusion that the foam is sliding backward. Knowing this, and by observing the direction of the streaks, the wind direction is easily determined. Wind velocity can be estimated by noting the appearance of the whitecaps, foam and wind streaks
  • The behavior of the aircraft on making contact with the water will vary within wide limits according to the state of the sea. If landed parallel to a single swell system, the behavior of the aircraft may approximate that to be expected on a smooth sea. If landed into a heavy swell or into a confused sea, the deceleration forces may be extremely great-resulting in breaking up of the aircraft. Within certain limits, the pilot is able to minimize these forces by proper sea evaluation and selection of ditching heading
  • When on final approach the pilot should look ahead and observe the surface of the sea. There may be shadows and whitecaps-signs of large seas. Shadows and whitecaps close together indicate short and rough seas. Touchdown in these areas is to be avoided. Select and touchdown in any area (only about 500 feet is needed) where the shadows and whitecaps are not so numerous
  • Touchdown should be at the lowest speed and rate of descent which permit safe handling and optimum nose up attitude on impact. Once first impact has been made, there is often little the pilot can do to control a landplane
• Once pre-ditching preparations are completed,the pilot should turn to the ditching heading and commence let-down. The aircraft should be flown low over the water, and slowed down until ten knots or so above stall. At this point, additional power should be used to overcome the increased drag caused by the nose up attitude. When a smooth stretch of water appears ahead, cut power, and touchdown at the best recommended speed as fully stalled as possible. By cutting power when approaching a relatively smooth area, the pilot will prevent overshooting and will touchdown with less chance of planing off into a second uncontrolled landing. Most experienced seaplane pilots prefer to make contact with the water in a semi-stalled attitude, cutting power as the tail makes contact. This technique eliminates the chance of misjudging altitude with a resultant heavy drop in a fully stalled condition. Care must be taken not to drop the aircraft from too high altitude or to balloon due to excessive speed. The altitude above water depends on the aircraft. Over glassy smooth water, or at night without sufficient light, it is very easy, for even the most experienced pilots to misjudge altitude by 50 feet or more. Under such conditions, carry enough power to maintain nine to twelve degrees nose up attitude, and 10 to 20 percent over stalling speed until contact is made with the water. The proper use of power on the approach is of great importance. If power is available on one side only, a little power should be used to flatten the approach; however, the engine should not be used to such an extent that the aircraft cannot be turned against the good engines right down to the stall with a margin of rudder movement available. When near the stall, sudden application of excessive unbalanced power may result in loss of directional control. If power is available on one side only, a slightly higher than normal glide approach speed should be used. This will ensure good control and some margin of speed after leveling off without excessive use of power. The use of power in ditching is so important that when it is certain that the coast cannot be reached, the pilot should, if possible, ditch before fuel is exhausted. The use of power in a night or instrument ditching is far more essential than under daylight contact conditions
  • If no power is available, a greater than normal approach speed should be used down to the flare-out. This speed margin will allow the glide to be broken early and more gradually, thereby giving the pilot time and distance to feel for the surface - decreasing the possibility of stalling high or flying into the water. When landing parallel to a swell system, little difference is noted between landing on top of a crest or in the trough. If the wings of aircraft are trimmed to the surface of the sea rather than the horizon, there is little need to worry about a wing hitting a swell crest. The actual slope of a swell is very gradual. If forced to land into a swell, touchdown should be made just after passage of the crest. If contact is made on the face of the swell, the aircraft may be swamped or thrown violently into the air, dropping heavily into the next swell. If control surfaces remain intact, the pilot should attempt to maintain the proper nose above the horizon attitude by rapid and positive use of the controls
• After Touchdown. In most cases drift, caused by crosswind can be ignored; the forces acting on the aircraft after touchdown are of such magnitude that drift will be only a secondary consideration. If the aircraft is under good control, the "crab" may be kicked out with rudder just prior to touchdown. This is more important with high wing aircraft, for they are laterally unstable on the water in a crosswind and may roll to the side in ditching
• Prior to touchdown kick out any crab and touchdown
• This is more important with high wing aircraft, for they are laterally unstable in the water in a crosswind and may roll to the side in ditching
• Turn off the master switch and cut fuel to prevent a fire
• Consider broadcasting on UNICOM/Guard as able

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Ditching Precautions:

• When an aircraft must be crash landed on either land or water, the sudden shifting of cargo, equipment, and other heavy items may cause injury or loss of life
• All units shall arrange and secure equipment in their aircraft to guard against such dangers Emergency gear, such as life rafts, should be properly stowed for quick availability
• Responsibility for proper security of cargo and equipment lies with the PIC of each aircraft

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• If a gear up landing is required, consideration should be given to pavement vs. grass, to ensure a smoother landing (no bumps, etc.
• Consideration, if time allows, should also be given to fields with the appropriate services desired after an emergency landing
• Ditching in water with fixed gear/gear down risks flipping the aircraft

Ditching/Water Survival Training:

• Underwater egress training, as well as what to do after a crash in water is available at various locations across the country

Aircraft Ditching Case Studies:

• NTSB Identification: WPR14CA087: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered
• NTSB Identification: WPR13LA378: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the engine was not properly preserved to prevent corrosion after the wreckage was recovered from the lake