From: kozelsm@comcast.net   
      
   Poster@newsgroups.ccom wrote:   
   >   
   > "Scott M. Kozel"  wrote:   
   >> Poster@newsgroups.com wrote:   
   >>> Didn't know that:   
   >>>   
   >>> "The A320 also is equipped with a ditching button, which closes all valves   
   below   
   >>> the waterline, enabling it to float more easily."   
   >>>   
   >>> According to CNN.   
   >> I didn't know that either ... is it an urban legend?  After all, most   
   >> ditchings result in (at the minimum) cracks in the fuselage, which would   
   >> let in a lot more water than open valves.   
   >>   
   >> Besides, "waterline" is a nautical term, not an aviation term (unless   
   >> talking about a flying boat, i.e. an aircraft that has a hull designed   
   >> to land on water).  That would exclude the A-320.   
   >   
   > It seems that I am not the only one wondering about that.   
   > That button really exists:   
   > http://sturly.com/ra1   
      
   But it doesn't say what the ditching button does ... it may just send   
   signals to the cabin crew to prepare for ditching.  Or it may be to shut   
   off all electrical power immediately before entering the water.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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