Ditching Depth

We never fly over water in our single engine Saratoga. However, on a flight from Key West to Fort Lauderdale several years ago, Flight Service advised me that everyone flies over the Florida Gulf because it is never more than three to five feet deep. So we did fly direct. Is he correct? If so, why did Amy Labodas plane sink ("A Different Ditching," March 2009)?

Editorial Staff

Monday, March 23, 2009 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article clarifies that the Florida Gulf near Key West is deep enough to sink an aircraft, correcting a misconception about its shallow depth.
Guidance is provided on alternative landing surfaces: landing on an *open, clear taxiway* for crosswind management is generally permissible without violating FARs, but landing on a *closed runway* is typically only warranted in an emergency due to unknown conditions and regulatory implications.
The article also features corrections for previous publication errors (e.g., climb rates, aircraft range), a tip for preserving night vision by closing one eye when exposed to bright lights, and an explanation of why accident briefs are based on preliminary reports without determined probable causes.