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Which of the following may force an aircraft in flight into a ditching situation?

  • A

    The loss of cabin pressurisation when flying above 18 000 feet.

  • B

    An engine failure on a two-engined aircraft.

  • C

    The discovery of a suspect device on board believed to be a bomb.

  • D

    A smoke, fire, or fumes situation that becomes uncontrollable.

Looking at the answer options:

The loss of cabin pressurisation when flying above 18 000 feet --> INCORRECT. This situation would merit a rapid descent down to 10,000 feet or MSA, but would not necessarily require an immediate landing onto water. The best option after the descent, would be to continue to land at a suitable airfield.

An engine failure on a two-engined aircraft --> INCORRECT. If one engine fails, then one remains with which to continue to a suitable airfield.

The discovery of a suspect device on board believed to be a bomb --> INCORRECT. This scenario may mean you descend to the flight level corresponding to the indicated cabin altitude or the safety altitude if higher and take preventive steps by putting yourself in a landing approach configuration, as seen in question 706437. At this stage though, continuing to a suitable airfield to land is a better option than to ditch.

A smoke, fire, or fumes situation that becomes uncontrollable --> CORRECT. The key word here is 'uncontrollable'. Imagine driving a car with an uncontrollable fire - you would stop and get out as soon as possible. Same instinct in an aircraft, you need to ditch and get everyone out and in the life rafts.


DITCHING

Ditching an aircraft into the sea, a river, or a lake, is a manoeuvre that, by definition, cannot be practiced and may be extremely hazardous. It is only contemplated when no other realistic option remains in an emergency. It may be because there is a growing fire onboard and/or it is not possible to reach a runway, or succeed with an approach to those runways within reach and the situation does not favour or even allow an attempt at an off-airport forced landing.


The following is a list of generally accepted considerations and techniques for ditching:

  • Power On. If there is a choice in the matter, power on is preferable to power off for ditching. Use of power allows more control of both the rate of descent and point at which touchdown is made.
  • Reduce Aircraft Weight. A lighter aircraft allows a lower approach speed and will probably remain afloat higher in the water and for longer thus facilitating occupant evacuation. Burning off or dumping fuel also has the advantage of increasing buoyancy in some aircraft types by creating a larger air mass held within the fuel tanks.
  • Configuration. Gear up is the optimum configuration for ditching. Most manufacturers recommend the maximum deployment of available slats/flaps is desirable to minimise approach speed.
  • In ideal conditions (smooth water or very long swells) land into the wind. This will ensure the minimum possible touchdown speed and help minimise impact damage. Where the swell is more marked, it may be advisable to ditch along the swell accepting a crosswind component and the higher touchdown speed, thus minimising the potential for nosing into the face of the rising swell. The best touchdown point is on the top of the swell with the second best on the back of the swell. Aim to remain well clear of the advancing face of the swell.

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