The Myths of Ditching

If you fly much over the water - even over wide bays and rivers - youve had to quell the uneasiness that arises when the engine goes into auto rough mode the instant youre beyond gliding range of shore. Not to worry; its not just you.

The prospect of going into the water in an airplane terrifies most pilots, chiefly because few prepare for it and, in general, instructors dont know enough about the relevant risks to make well-informed judgments about overwater flying.

As a result, certain myths and half-truths about ditching seem to persist, handed down from one pilot to the next who read something or knows someone who knew someone who vanished without a trace in Lake Michigan...

Key Takeaways:

• Ditching an aircraft under control is a highly survivable emergency procedure, with a 90% general aviation survival rate, debunking common fears about its fatality and difficulty.
• Many popular myths, such as low-wing aircraft being inherently safer or rapid sinking, are unfounded; most aircraft provide ample time for occupant egress.
• Despite high inherent survivability, basic preparation, including Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), rafts, and filing flight plans, significantly enhances survival odds and rescue efficiency, especially in challenging conditions.
• Many ditchings are preventable (e.g., fuel mismanagement, carb ice), and in an emergency, a controlled water landing is generally a safer alternative to impacting trees, rocks, or other land obstacles.

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