Let’s dispel some myths: Ditching done well is not all that dangerous. My recent ditching was devoid of actual trauma. Most people—about 90 percent—survive a ditching, and those who don’t are usually the ones who did not take basic steps to prepare. Some recent incidents and my own experience demonstrate ditching usually is very survivable and taking a few precautions can greatly enhance the possibility of a favorable outcome.
The average pilot training syllabus contains little or no information on this important maneuver. Instead, the usual focus is on gliding to a safe landing on land, as if the mere presence of terra firma automatically presents the pilot with better options to get down safely. It often does not. Sometimes ditching is the best option, even if land is nearby. A recent tragedy in Florida makes this point: The pilot of an airplane with a failed engine glided to the beach and landed near inshore. He and a passenger survived, but tragically, he struck and killed two beach goers in the water. He told the NTSB he was worried about flipping over if he ditched in deeper water.
