On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:48:20 -0500, D.Duck wrote:

Concerning the recent crash one of the TV commentators said that it was
better for the airplanes survivability that the water in the Hudson is
cold and not warm. the reason he said is that cold water is *harder*
than warm water and made for better ditching conditions.

Any truth to this.

Don't know about the water, but I heard that airplane had a "ditch
switch". The pilot hits it before a water ditch, and it seals the
undercarriage openings. I guess it makes sense, but it's a very rare
airplane crash that the plane remains in one piece.