DA40 Ditching Checklist Attached

[Bob C]

Back in 2013, I asked the DAN members for ideas on ditching a DA40. After three years of flying for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and refining my checklist, I have a DA40 ditching checklist I am satisfied with for my purposes. There is nothing about wearing life vests, because we are required to while on patrol, but I would never fly over significant water or rough terrain with lakes or rivers with out wearing them. NEVER, EVER, NEVER inflate inflate a life vest until you exit the airplane and do not wear the type that activates when it gets wet.

[Star57]

Im curious why the recommended speed at the ditching point is 70 knots, at mid weight I touch down at 65 to 67Knots, The airplane is controllable at 55Knots, not disagreeing, just wondering if slower is not better

[Bob C]

That is short for obtain best glide speed first to give you more time for everything else. You will want to touch down at the slowest speed possible. Without the engine running, you will have to reserve some energy to flair.

[rwtucker]

Great document Bob. Thanks! I see a few things that can be adapted to non-ditch emergency landings in terms of allocating tasks across available human resources.