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National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, Report - Ditching Investigations of Dynamic Models and Effect of Design Parameters on Ditching Characteristics

Data from ditching investigations conducted at the Langley
Aeronautical Laboratory with dynamic scale models of various
airplanes are presented in the form of tables. The efi'ects of
design parameters on the ditching characteristics of airplanes,
based on scale—model investigations and on reports offullrscale
ditchings, are discussed. Various ditching aids are also dis-
cussed as a means of improving ditching behavior.

The designers of an airplane have control over many
factors that will affect the chances of survival of the occu—
pants of the airplane in a ditching. Since a considerable
variation in ditching behavior is found in airplane designs
that have similar performance in the air, it is evidently
possible to choose values of design parameters that will»
give some measure of ditching safety without appreciable
sacrifice of aerodynamic properties. Therefore, available
ditching data are presented and evaluated herein in order
to assist the designer and the operator in maln'ng preliminary
ditching evaluations of airplanes by comparison with similar
configurations or by the study of various design parameters.
This information is based on data from scale-model investi-
gations conducted at the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory
and from actual full-scale ditchings. The data from ditch-
ing investigations with scale models are presented in the
form of tables.

Scale-model investigations can give information regarding
the motions of an airplane when ditched but data regarding
the ability of personnel to withstand the motions, and sub-
sequently to escape from the sinln’ng airplane, must be
obtained from other sources.

The investigations of the ditching characteristics of air-
planes were conducted in Langley tank no. 2 with dynamic
scale models. Damage which was likely to occur in a full-
scale ditching was simulated in the models either. by the
removal of parts, by the installation of simulated crumpled
sections, by the installation of scale-strength sections or
aluminum-foil coverings which failed during the test, or by
a combination of these methods.