http://www.cbc.ca/m/rich/news/story/2011/07/28/wdr-pilot-treads-water-before-rescued.html

The story of a pilot whose plane crashed into Lake Huron on Tuesday. He tread water for 18 hours before being rescued by a passing boater.

I don't think I've ever thought of waving my socks to attract rescue. Smart thinking! Not having his PLB and/or cel phone on his body, not so smart.

A whistle sure would have come in handy!

A flotation vest with pockets for survival gear would be advised. Doug Ritter Essentials™ Overwater Aviator Survival Vest™

Good link BPJ, thanks.

Yet again, a survivor makes it through the initial crisis only to have rescue delayed by a lack of signaling.

Yes, a vest or something to keep some crucial gear on him would be best. When things are happening that fast, stopping to grab a bag probably isn't in the cards. And your stuff gets 'rearranged' when the aircraft (or car) flips.

"Trapp said the engine sputtered and felt like it was running out of gas, but said there was still three hours worth of fuel in the tank."

When I used to fly with a small-aircraft pilot, he always drained a cup of fuel out of the tank just before every trip. Water is heavier than the fuel, so if there is some condensation or other source of water in it, it settles to the bottom and is drained into the cup. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that this is what happened in this case.

Sue

Or a second engine.



Good story, great outcome, guy seems the type to "put your head down and keep going." 27 km ... even 10km ... in water is no small feat.

Good on him! Someone once asked me if I was afraid of flying and I said "No, I'm afraid of crashing and then not having what I need to survive until I'm rescued." If I were in that situation, I'd prefer to have a vest with some essentials in it and I hope he thinks along those lines too going forward.

Just in case he finds this thread, the link to Doug Ritter Essentials™ Overwater Aviator Survival Vest™ is there for him to peruse. I consider having flotation/survival gear on person as a requirement for single engine over-water flights. Training in its use and knowing how to swim would be wise too. Looks like he knew how to tread water (check).

BTW, I also like Switlik's Inflatable Single Place Life Raft. In cold northern water it gets a lot of your body out of the water.

Great point.

I know people who prefer to carry their cellphone in their hand and just lay it down wherever they're at, instead of keeping the phone secured in a belt pouch. In the car, they lay it on the seat or in a cupholder.

In my EMS work I have seen interiors of wrecked vehicles that look like the Joplin tornado went through there. I ask them "how will you call 911 if you're in a wreck? Don't you know that phone will go flying and likely get destroyed in the impact?".

They shrug.

"I survived the crash, I guess that's the main priority,"

Well, at least he got one thing right.

Good point to have things secured to the body.

HJ

I'm not aware of a twin engine Cessna prop. Piper? Beech? Regardless, flying without survival gear while crossing large bodies of water is something that's done by folks who haven't had an engine shut down all on its own. I've come back with too many feathered props to fly over water in a Cessna/Piper/Beech without a properly accessorized survival vest.