In article ,
says...


They are unhappy events as in you don't get to use the plane afterwards
- but water landings are surprisingly survivable. Fixed gear or
retractible gear doesn't seem to make a lot of difference in ditchings.

http://www.equipped.com/ditchingmyths.htm


Good link - good response.
I am one of those who has read articles on the subject, over many years,
and formed what appears to be an uninformed opinion. The case here is well
enough presented to merit a review of some of those widely-circulated
ideas.

GF