Water landing

[vh2q]

In the event of .. Will it flip? Will it float? RG or FG.

[Kent Ashton]

Certainly, it will float--or the parts will.  This one seems to have stalled and landed pretty flat

https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2016/02/ntsb-pilot-error-caused-2014-crash-into-l-i-sound-in-mattituck/

This one may have hit pretty hard

https://www.businessinsider.com/homebuilt-plane-crashes-california-coast-likely-killing-4-2024-1

Just guessing that a combination of the momentum of a heavy engine in back, water-drag on the main gear pitching the airplane down and canard that could catch the water, would all act to flip the airplane.  Interesting to see the spar caps in the second pic and that it floated ashore with the engine still hanging.

Edited June 13, 2024 by Kent Ashton

[vh2q]

I ask because John Denvers apparently did not

[Marc Zeitlin]

5 hours ago, vh2q said:

I ask because John Denvers apparently did not

Hit the water at 200 kts, pointing almost straight down, so that the aircraft disintegrates, and only small parts will be floating.