Didn't stay within gliding distance of shore

[pelmet]

Probably happens more often than we think for airports near the water. As you can see, there is a good reason to do so.

C-GRJN, a privately operated Maule M-4-220C aircraft, was conducting a local VFR flight from the
Sandy Point Fishing Lodge on Gordon Lake, NT, approximately 54 nautical miles North East of
Yellowknife, NT (CYZF). Approximately 6 nautical miles North on the approach for the landing, the
aircraft experienced a power loss while turning on base leg. The pilot conducted a forced landing
and set the aircraft down on the surface of Gordon Lake. Upon touchdown, the aircraft overturned.
The pilot and the passenger egressed with minor injuries and the 406 ELT did not activate. The 2
occupants were able to stay with the overturned aircraft until it was blown ashore on an island,
where they awaited rescue services. The aircraft was located the following day at which time the
pilot and the passenger were rescued. The aircraft was equipped with a survival kit and a SPOT
satellite tracking device, however these items were located in the rear baggage compartment and
were not accessible. The local temperature during the night was near the freezing point.

[Donald]

Except it was a float plane.

[Saxub]

SPOT in the rear baggage compartment? Yeah, that's smart. I keep mine within arms distance at all times.

[CL-Skadoo!]

This was not the first time it was operated this way either.

[pelmet]

Except it was a float plane.

Thanks. That was my first thought as well, but there was nothing in the statement that mentioned this and normally, they will say something like the float equipped aircraft. So I assumed, wrongly it appears, that it was a landplane.

[pdw]

I found glide ratio of the Maule to be significantly less than the Skyhawk I was used to, so always made a conscious effort to remain closer to shore when flying around the lake in the M5. A steeper descent angle was never an issue even in a tighter circuit; come to think of it I don't recall overshooting a landing in the Maule (but was always busy trying to nail the tailwheel landing each time).

[av8ts]

Does anyone know why a multi engine aircraft cannot go beyond 50 miles from land without life jackets for everyone. Are most people capable of swimming 50 without it but not 51?

[photofly]

Up to 50 miles a floatation device is acceptable. Beyond 50 miles it has to be a life preserver. Nobody is expected to swim any distance at all, merely to have a moderate chance of not drowning before rescue.

[switchflicker]

Does anyone know why a multi engine aircraft cannot go beyond 50 miles from land without life jackets for everyone.

I guess you need to draw the line somewhere. Hopefully the 50 mile mark came from more than the dart board method!