What would you do?

[Beaver Driver]

So, I was flying along this morning thinking to myself "Where would I land if the engine quit", cause that's what I do. When I got thinking of a certain scenario.

You are flying along at altitude when the engine quits. You have enough altitude to safely do a 90 degree turn. You have two landing areas within range. One is a lake, but you have to take a tailwind. The other is the trees, but you are straight into wind. Which would you take? I guess I should mention that this is a float plane.

As a secondary question, at what wind speed do you take the trees over the water?

[Dagwood]

70% Trees
30% Lake
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=51289&p=492496

[buck82]

It depends on the wind, your airplane and size of the lake....

BUT why make a guaranteed crash landing in the trees when you could simply make a normal landing on the water with floats.

(you must know the answer to this no? beaver driver)

[trey kule]

BUT why make a guaranteed crash landing in the trees when you could simply make a normal landing on the water with floats.

There are many many reasons. Because within minutes instead of waiting for the satelites to pick up your elt, someone would post the inicident on AvCanada, and you would instantly become infamous.

Seriously, I understand the question, but there are just so many variables in the particular situation and time to suggest an answer.
In general , it would have to be a hell of a tail wind and six foot waves on the lake before I would choose the trees if I could make it safely as far as the lake.

Perhaps take of knitting while you are flying. You have just way to much time on your hands to contemplate such philoshpical conundrums.

[Redneck_pilot86]

70% Trees
30% Lake
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=51289&p=492496

That survey was regarding a wheel plane, with floats underneath you, everything changes. You can stay upright on the water, or you have a huge cushion between you and the trees.

Personally, the water if it was a guarantee.

[North Shore]

On floats? The Water (assuming the wind was OK) why would you do any different?

[Beaver Driver]

(you must know the answer to this no? beaver driver)

I know what I would do, but the question is what would you do. I guess the real question is how much tailwind is too much. A dead stick landing with a 20 knot tail wind...........

[DHCdriver]

I guess the real question is how much tailwind is too much. A dead stick landing with a 20 knot tail wind...........

Who cares, the name of the game is to save you and your passengers first, airplane second. The outcome is still going to be better than hitting those damn trees at 60-70 mph.

[buck82]

The 'Dead stick' issue is a moot point. The aircraft doesn't care if the engine is running or not; it simply changes your rate of descent.

[floatpilot]

You wouldn't be hitting the trees at 60 to 70 mph in a beaver with a 2o kt head wind.... I disagree with the dead stick engine out, tailwind landing too. Of course the airplane does not know the difference but I do!

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this, the descion would have to be made at the time of the failure. Way to many variables.. What type of lake is it, deep shallow?, what time of year is it, what type of bush? big trees, old growth etc.....

But I could tell you for sure if there was even a doubt in my mind about not making the water, I'd absoultly take the controlled crash into the bush at a much slower speed than risk hitting the water out of control, and die because I drowned.

[DHCdriver]

But I could tell you for sure if there was even a doubt in my mind about not making the water, I'd absoultly take the controlled crash into the bush at a much slower speed than risk hitting the water out of control,

Yes, of course you have no choice but to take the bush if water was not an option, but if you can make the water, take it, why would you not!

[floatpilot]

What I ment was to make the water landing safetly. The water is still an option, but is it the safest option? Again I think It will be a decision to be made at the time of the event.

[Rowdy]

I'm pickin' water.. Didnt anyone see the swamp landing with that Beaver out of cochrane? would have been a lot more of a mess had they gone into the trees.

[DHCdriver]

Well if one had to go into the trees, I do my damndest to get her into those stag spruce stands alot more give then those poplars. Lets hope this doesn't happen. Keep it safe float drivers. DHC

[DHCdriver]

Again I think It will be a decision to be made at the time of the event.

Absolutely, there's alot going on when that fan quits. Had a couple failures during my float days and was very lucky I had water near by. We can sit hear and tell each other what we would do but when it happens it's a totally different ballgame. Lets hope those -67's keep turning for me, so far so good. DHC

[burhead1]

20 kts tail wind should give you enough speed to turn that biach around into the wind and put her down!

I would take the water.

[wang dang doodle]

I'm following Rowdy's plan, cause he knows everything about everything !!!!

[DHCdriver]

I'm following Rowdy's plan, cause he knows everything about everything !!!!

Sounds like Rowdy has a fan Your boss will definitely love ya for choosing Rowdy's answer.