Posted by Old Diver on November 12, 19100 at 09:43:39:
Before you run off and salvage an aircraft there are
a few things you should think about. Speed when it
hit the water, angle of impact, length of time underwater not to mention depth. I have dove on a few
aircraft and they do not take well from the transision
from air to water. Usually the wings break off, struts
collapse, windsheild shatters and frame tweeks out of
shape. If the engine has been immersed for a long time
it is toast and the cost of a rebuild would astound you. The aircraft if immersed for a long time would
suffer galvanic corrosion and would never see the air
again. Although the skin is aluminum it would become
pitted and weak along with the frame. Aircraft that are
worth recovering are floatplanes that
sank while tied up or flipped while landing. They must
be recovered quickly and then given over to the insurance company with a invoice for the recovery. The
floats are usually ok and may have a resale value. Now
all of the above said it is always fun to dive on an
aircraft and dont forget to check the baggage compartment. Good luck and keep on diving.