In article ,
Orval Fairbairn wrote:

I recall the story -- happened about 50 years ago. The Stratocruiser
lost 2 engines, IIRC, and descended (power glided) to about 1/2 wingspan
of the water and was able to fly to land in surface effect. They
obviously did not descend immediately, rather they did a max L/D powered
descent until they stopped losing altitude. It was written up in an old
"Reader's Digest," among others.

This sounds like the Ernest Gann novel 'The High and the Mighty'
which was also made into a movie of the same name, starring John
Wayne and Robert Stack.

Halfway between Hawaii and San Francisco, they lose an engine which
sheds parts and punctures the fuel tanks on that wing. The movie
was unavailable for years due to a dispute with Wayne's estate,
but has recently become available. I watched it last year, and it
is very well done, and the inspiration for all the other aviation
disaster flicks.

John
--
John Clear - http://www.clear-prop.org/