I swore. At 32 feet and only 121 knots, my wings had no lift left to give. I couldn't turn; my wings would hit something and I would descend faster. I pulled more on my control column. 16 degrees. 33. 37. 44. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 45. 33. I pushed on the control column. We were at only 115 knots and I had to find a way to get to at least 118 knots. Otherwise, the plane will break up on impact with the water. 27 feet, 117.5 knots. 118 knots. 12 feet. Here's is a brief explanation of what the plane's instruments were showing:
Altimeter: 9 feet
Speed: 118.4 knots.
Descent Rate: 221 feet/minute
Flaps: 2 degrees
Radio Altimeter: 12 feet.
I was far ahead of downtown Toronto and this was a very scary experience. Furthermore, I was dangerously far from the land. Maybe 2000 feet from the land. 3 feet. I left my instruments and I braced. We hit hard. All I saw now was water pouring over the windshield. This is it. I looked up. "THE DITCHING BUTTON!". I forgot to press it. Now, with no power to anything, it wouldn't work. It was to late. I looked back. Thousands of gallons of water were pouring in. I couldn't get out yet. I had a 3 page evacuation and after-ditching checklists to complete. And those, would take me at least 4 minutes for both my co-pilot and I to complete.
Start Levers. Off.
Cross levers. Off.
Engine Thrust. Idle.
Reset. On/Off.
Auto-throttle. Off.
Autopilot. Off and disengaged.
Evacuation Checklist Complete.
After-ditching checklist.
Start Columns. Neutral...
When we finished both checklist, the ice cold water was at my waist. "Let's get out of here" My co-pilot listened to me, and amazed that I ditched the plane successfully. Something he probably couldn't do. It was an extremely difficult aviation feat. I opened the over-wing exit doors and we jumped on the wing of the plane. I closed the door.There was only one hitch. I was dumb enough to not go on the emergency exit door which had a raft that could be detached from the aircraft and the other was that I chose to exit from the right side which was further away from land. Now, no one can see us from their view. The wing was slippery and I fell of twice and as every second went by, the lower into the water the aircraft went, and the chance of me and my instructor surviving, was dissolving away.
To Be Continued...
Was this a real dream, Aero? Reading it has me breaking out in a cold sweat. I can't stand dreams that involve flying. I used to have this recurring dream in which I had the power to fly but could never enact it when I needed it most. I call it my Frustration Dream.
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