Ditching

- James Albright (a former G450 driver)

Updated: 2014-01-18

There isn't much data on ditching a Gulfstream. The only case of a water landing was the case of an aircraft flown intentionally below glide path into a lake. See: GIII VP-BLN. In that case, with no cabin preparation, the aircraft filled with water so quickly the passengers and crew were not able to don any flotation gear.

Everything here is from the references shown below, with a few comments in an alternate color.

 Analysis

Preparation is the key here, once you turn the airplane into a boat-soon-to-become-submarine, you won't have a lot of time.

 Procedures

[G450 Airplane Flight Manual, §4-19-20]

No tests or actual ditching have been made. The following procedures will improve the chances of a successful ditching:

  1. Distress Message . . . TRANSMIT

  2. Fuel Load . . . MINIMUM

  3. Cabin and Passengers . . . PREPARE

  4. Heading . . . PARALLEL SWELLS

  5. Emergency Power . . . ON

  6. Terrain Inhibit . . . ON

  7. Landing Gear . . . UP

  8. GPWS Voice Override . . . ON

  9. Flaps . . . DOWN (39°)

  10. RAM Air . . . RAM

    NOTE: If RAM air is inoperative, select BOTH ECS PACKS-OFF.

  11. Cabin Pressure Control . . . MANUAL

  12. Outflow Valve . . . CLOSE

  13. Differential Pressure . . . ZERO

  14. Stall Barrier . . . OFF

  15. Final Approach Airspeed . . . VREF

  16. Descent Rate . . . APPROXIMATELY 200 FT. PER MINUTE

  17. Touchdown Configuration . . . ESTABLISH

    NOTE: Power levers should be closed, airplane rotated to normal landing attitude (airspeed approximately 1.25 VS), slightly nose up, and contact made with water with minimum forward speed and at minimum sink rate.

    NOTE: At water entry, expect the airplane attitude to be approximately 7 to 8 degrees nose up. Airspeed at water entry should be just above stall speed. This is to minimize structural damage following water contact.

  18. Fire Handles . . . PULL

  19. Life Rafts . . . REMOVE

  20. Public Address . . . EVACUATE

  21. Airplane . . . ABANDON

  22. NOTE: The airplane may be expected to remain afloat if it does not sustain serious damage on landing.

    There have been cases of low wing aircraft remaining afloat for days and others submerged faster than the occupants could evacuate. The amount of fuel in the wings, I would think, would be a major factor.

CREW DUTIES FOLLOWING DITCHING

CAPTAIN

  1. Emergency Exit Lights . . . ON

  2. Remove life raft #1 from stowed position. Tie life raft mooring line to fastened seat belt at forward exit window, either left or right side.

  3. Remove forward exit window and deploy life raft #1 out window.

  4. Exit window and secure ditching line to fuselage for hand hold.

  5. Follow mooring line to life raft, board life raft.

  6. Direct passengers to follow mooring line to life raft. Assist passengers into life raft.

FIRST OFFICER

  1. Emergency Exit Lights . . . ON

  2. ELT . . . ON

  3. Remove life raft #2 from stowed position. Tie life raft mooring line to fastened seat belt at aft exit window - same side as raft #1.

  4. Remove aft exit window and deploy life raft #2 out window.

  5. Exit window and secure ditching line to fuselage for hand hold.

  6. Follow mooring line to life raft #2, board life raft.

  7. Direct passengers to follow mooring line to life raft. Assist passengers into life raft.

CABIN CREWMEMBER (if onboard)

  1. Assist Captain and First Officer in obtaining life rafts #1 and #2 from stowed position.

  2. Assist Captain and First Officer with securing life rafts by tying life raft mooring line to fastened seat belt

  3. Direct Captain and First Officer to open exit windows, secure ditching line to fuselage for a hand hold and deploy life rafts.

    NOTE: For passenger accountability, life rafts go out same side of airplane.

  4. Have Captain and First Officer follow life raft mooring lines to rafts and board.

  5. Continue to direct evacuation from inside airplane. Assist passengers.

  6. If time permits, gather first aid kit, blankets, food, garbage bags, etc., to take to life rafts.

  7. Depart via exit window and board life raft.

 References:

Gulfstream G450 Airplane Flight Manual, Revision 35, April 18, 2013

Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual, Revision 18, Dec 12, 2013

Gulfstream G450 Operating Manual Supplement, G-450-OMS-02, Extended Operations (ETOPS) Guide, Revision 2, April 2, 2009

Gulfstream G450 Performance Handbook, GAC-AC-G450-OPS-0003, Revision 20, November 30, 2011

Gulfstream G450 Quick Reference Handbook, GAC-AC-G450-OPS-0003, Revision 34, 18 April 2013

Gulfstream G450 Weight and Balance Manual, Revision 3, March 2008