In a message dated 4/10/99 12:48:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< On Jun-19-89 at Canaan, CT Ercoupe 415C, registration: N93765 was ditched in a lake and both occupants escaped uninjured. Are either of those guys on this net? I'd be interested in more information on the best way to successfully ditch an Ercoupe. Sounds like they did it right! Anybody else have any ideas or experience in this area? >> I put a Cessna 182 in the water once and I don't ever want to do it again. It was upside down before I could even say the usual "OH SHIT"! In the 182 I had a few seconds to release my seatbelt and collect my wits before the a/c sank (very quickly I might add). If you ever do it, I would say land as slow as possible and keep the nose off as long as possible because when the nose wheel touches, it's going over amazingly fast. If you are in an Ercoupe or any other low wing a/c and you go up side down, you may have a hard time getting out of the a/c because you will very confused. You may very well not even know which way is up (follow the bubbles if you are completely under water). GET OUT FAST and don't be trapped in the a/c as it sinks upside down. The 182 sank nose first upside down and I was able to slide out on the wing as the water came up very fast. If I had been temporarily knocked out or dazed then I am sure that I would not have made it. The entire a/c sank in less then a minute. Kim NC
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