wrote in message
oups.com...

snip

What's the story with emergency landings in water for small planes like
C172s and Warriors? What is the best technique for executing one? What
is the most common outcome? What does the outcome tend to depend on? Of
course, the availability of prompt rescue is going to be a big factor,
but I'm more asking about the landing itself.

Tom

I have a friend who ditched a Warrior off the Florida coast last year. He
cinched the belts down and had the door open when he splashed down at
minimum airspeed. The airplane pitched over well beyond vertical on impact,
then returned close to vertical as it began to sink. He said the event was
not particularly violent. The airplane floated for several minutes before
sinking.

KB