Hat tip to IFR Pilot for posting this amazing video of an apparent water landing in Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island in Ohio. The Miller Ferry helped to rescue the pilot and the passengers – all of whom survived.
However and if you fly regularly over a body of water like the English Channel, do note that the small aircraft sank in less than 2 minutes (luckily there was a ferry and other boats in the vicinity to rescue everyone).
Nice of the people gawping at the front to get in the way of the chap throwing in life belts to the poor fellows in the water…
I'm amazed the aircraft sunk relatively slowly.
Does anyone know of any ditching courses relevant for GA pilots? I hardly ever fly over the Channel but as sometimes do aero practice just off the coast wonder really if I should be wearing an emergency bouyancy device?
There is always plenty of altitude to make it to the land in theory. But that's the theory and I know of two forced landings on the 'beach' at Shoreham over the years.