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AC121-7-AC125-2 - Ditching - Techniques, Hazards, and Survival: A Basis for Assessing Risk

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Civil Aviation Rules

Part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations

General definitions Abbreviations

Part 12 Accidents, Incidents, and Statistics

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Notification, Investigation, and Reporting, of Occurrences Subpart C - Preservation of Aircraft, its Contents, and Records Subpart D - Statistics Appendix A - Information Required for Initial Notification of Incidents

Part 19 Miscellaneous Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart F - Supply Organisation Approvals Subpart G - Security Subpart I - Personnel Appendix A - Civil Air Ensign

Part 21 Certification of Products and Parts

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Type Certificates and Type Acceptance Certificates Subpart C - Design Changes Subpart D - Changes to Type Certificates and Type Acceptance Certificates Subpart E - Supplemental Type Certificates Subpart F - Provisional Type Certificates Subpart H - Airworthiness Certificates Subpart I - Special Flight Permits Subpart K - Materials, Parts, Processes, and Appliances Subpart L - Export Airworthiness Certificates Subpart M - Repairs Subpart N - Technical Data and Airworthiness Specifications Subpart O - New Zealand Technical Standard Order form Subpart P - New Zealand Parts Manufacturing Approval Authorisations Subpart Q - Identification of Products and Parts Appendix A - Transitional Arrangements Appendix C - Airworthiness Design Standards Appendix D - Acceptable Technical Data

Part 26 Additional Airworthiness Requirements

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Additional Airworthiness Requirements Appendix B - All Aircraft Appendix C - Air Transport Aeroplanes w/ Type Certificated Seating Capacity more than 9 Passengers Appendix D - Air Transport Aeroplanes w/ Type Certificated Seating Capacity more than 19 Passengers Appendix E - Helicopters

Part 39 Airworthiness Directives

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Airworthiness Directives

Part 43 General Maintenance Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Maintenance Subpart C - Release to Service Subpart D - Review of Airworthiness Subpart E - Certifying Conformity following Major Modification or Major Repair Subpart F - Maintenance for Special Category Aircraft Appendix A - Maintenance performed by a person under rule 43.51(b) Appendix B - Aircraft Radio Station Inspection Appendix D - Altimeter System Tests and Inspections Appendix E - ATC Transponder Tests and Inspections Appendix F - ELT and AELS Inspections and Tests

Part 47 Aircraft Registration and Marking

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Aircraft Registration and Certificate of Registration Subpart C - Aircraft Marking Appendix A - Transitional arrangements

Part 61 Pilot Licences and Ratings

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Aircraft Type Ratings Subpart C - Student Pilots Subpart D - Private Pilot Licences Subpart E - Commercial Pilot Licences Subpart F - Airline Transport Pilot Licences Subpart G - Flight Instructor Ratings Subpart I - Requirements for Training, Operation and Use of Aircraft Following a Safety Review Subpart L - Aerobatic Flight Rating Subpart M - Glider Tow Rating Subpart N - Parachute Drop Rating Subpart O - Agricultural Ratings Subpart OA - Aerial Topdressing Rating Subpart OB - Aerial Spraying Rating Subpart OC - Aerial VTA Rating Subpart P - Pilot Chemical Rating Subpart Q - Instrument Ratings Subpart S - Flight Examiner Ratings Subpart T - Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) Rating

Part 63 Flight Engineer Licences and Ratings

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Cadet Flight Engineer Licences Subpart D - Flight Engineer Licences Subpart E - Flight Radiotelephone Operator Ratings Subpart F - Aircraft Type Ratings Subpart G - Flight Engineer Instructor Ratings Subpart H - Flight Engineer Examiner Ratings

Part 65 Air Traffic Services Personnel Licences and Ratings

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Air Traffic Trainee Licences Subpart C - Air Traffic Controller Licences Subpart D - Flight Service Trainee Licences Subpart E - Flight Service Operator Licences Subpart F - Flight Radiotelephone Operator Rating Subpart G - Air Traffic Controller Ratings Subpart H - Flight Service Operator Ratings Subpart I - Air Traffic Service Instructor Ratings Subpart J - Air Traffic Service Examiner Ratings

Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Personnel Licensing

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence Subpart C - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Ratings Subpart D - Certificate of Maintenance Approval Subpart E - Certificate of Inspection Authorisation Appendix B - Group and Type Ratings Appendix C - Limited Privileges

Part 67 Medical Standards and Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Medical Certification Subpart C - Medical Standards Subpart D - Medical Examiners Subpart E - Operating Requirements for Medical Examiners Subpart F - Requirements for Delegations by the Director Appendix A – Medical Examiner Competencies

Part 71 Designation and Classification of Airspace

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Controlled Airspace Subpart C - Airspace Classification Subpart D - Special Use Airspace Subpart E - Transponder mandatory airspace Subpart F - Miscellaneous

Part 77 Objects and Activities Affecting Navigable Airspace

Subpart A - General Appendix A - Obstacle Notification Surfaces Appendix B - Visual Aids for Denoting Obstacles Appendix C - Shielding

Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Operating Rules Subpart C - General Flight Rules Subpart D - Visual Flight Rules Subpart E - Instrument Flight Rules Subpart F - Instrument and Equipment Requirements Subpart G - Operator Maintenance Requirements Subpart H - Special Flight Operations Subpart I - Foreign Registered Aircraft Operations & Operation of NZ Registered Aircraft Outside NZ Subpart J - Operating Noise Limits Appendix A - Instrument and equipment specifications

Part 92 Carriage of Dangerous Goods

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Packaging, Packing, Marking, and Labelling Subpart C - Offer of Dangerous Goods Subpart D - Operator Subpart E - Training Appendix A - Dangerous Goods Training Programme

Part 93 Special Aerodrome Traffic Rules and Noise Abatement Procedures

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Auckland International Airport Subpart C - Wellington International Airport Subpart D - Christchurch International Airport Subpart E - Paraparaumu Aerodrome Subpart F - Matamata Aerodrome Subpart G - Ardmore Aerodrome Subpart H - Right-Hand Aerodrome Traffic Circuits Appendix A - Auckland Noise Abatement Area Appendix B - Wellington Aerodrome Traffic Circuit and Noise Abatement Area Appendix D - Noise Abatement Departure Profiles

Part 95 Instrument Flight Procedures - Registration

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Promulgation and Notification of Instrument Flight Procedures

Part 99 Drug and Alcohol Management Plans

Part 99 Drug and Alcohol Management Plans (DAMPs)

Part 100 Safety Management

Part 101 Gyrogliders and Parasails, Unmanned Aircraft (including Balloons), Kites, and Rockets - Operating Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Moored Balloons and Kites Subpart C - Free Balloons Subpart D - Rockets Subpart E - Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Control Line Model Aircraft and Free Flight Model Aircraft Subpart F - Gyrogliders and Parasails

Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification

Part 103 Microlight Aircraft - Operating Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart E - Operating Rules Subpart F - Flight Rules Subpart G - Airworthiness and Maintenance

Part 104 Gliders - Operating Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Rules Subpart C - Equipment and Maintenance Requirements

Part 105 Parachuting - Operating Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Parachute Equipment Subpart C - Parachute Maintenance

Part 106 Hang Gliders Operating Rules

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Rules

Part 107 Research and Development Organisation Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements

Part 108 Air Operator Security Programme

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Air Operator Security Programme Requirements

Part 109 Regulated Air Cargo Agent - Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification requirements Subpart C - Operational requirements Appendix A - Declaration of Security Appendix B - Screening Standards Appendix C - Training Standards

Part 115 Adventure Aviation Certification and Operations

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Adventure Aviation Operator Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Limitations and Requirements Subpart D - Flight Operations Subpart E - Training Subpart F - Crew Member and Ground Crew Competency Requirements Subpart G - Fatigue of Flight Crew Subpart H - Manuals, Logs, and Records Subpart I - Hot Air Balloon Operations Subpart J - Parachute-Drop Aircraft Operations Subpart K - Tandem Parachute Operations Subpart L - Glider Operations Subpart M - Hang Glider and Paraglider Operations Subpart O - Special Aircraft Operations Subpart P - Microlight Aircraft Operations Appendix A - Qualifications and competencies of senior persons

Part 119 Air Operator Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Airline Air Operator – Certification Requirements Subpart C - General Aviation Air Operator – Certification Requirements Subpart D - Operating Requirements Appendix A - Qualifications and Experience of Senior Persons - Airline Air Operator Certificate Hold Appendix B - Qualifications and Experience of Senior Persons - General Aviation Air Operator Certifi

Part 121 Air Operations Large Aeroplanes

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Operations Subpart C - Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements Subpart D - Performance Subpart E - Weight and Balance Subpart F - Instruments and Equipment Subpart G - Maintenance Subpart H - Crew Member Requirements Subpart I - Training Subpart J - Crew Member Competency Requirements Subpart K - Fatigue of Flight Crew Subpart L - Manuals, Logs, and Records Subpart M - Advance Qualification Programme Subpart N - EDTO Authorisation and Requirements Appendix B - Instruments and Equipment Airworthiness Design Standards Appendix C - Runways Appendix D - Landing Distance Assessments for Runways

Part 125 Air Operations Medium Aeroplanes

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Operations Subpart C - Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements Subpart D - Performance Subpart E - Weight and Balance Subpart F - Instruments and Equipment Subpart G - Maintenance Subpart H - Crew Member Requirements Subpart I - Training Subpart J - Crew Member Competency Requirements Subpart K - Fatigue of Flight Crew Subpart L - Manuals, Logs, and Records Appendix B - Instruments and Equipment Airworthiness Design Standards Appendix C - Runways Appendix D - Landing Distance Assessments for Runways

Part 129 Foreign Air Transport Operator Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Foreign Air Transport Operator - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Foreign Air Transport Operator - Operating Requirements

Part 133 Helicopter External Load Operations

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Operating Rules and Related Requirements Subpart F - Instruments and Equipment Subpart G - Maintenance

Part 135 Air Operations Helicopters and Small Aeroplanes

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Operations Subpart C - Operating Limitations and Weather Requirements Subpart D - Performance Subpart E - Weight and Balance Subpart F - Instruments and Equipment Subpart G - Maintenance Subpart H - Crew Member Requirements Subpart I - Training Subpart J - Crew Member Competency Requirements Subpart K - Fatigue of Flight Crew Subpart L - Manuals, Logs, and Records Appendix B - Instruments and Equipment Airworthiness Design Standards Appendix C - Runways Appendix D - Landing Distance Assessments for Runways

Part 137 Agricultural Aircraft Operations

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Flight Rules Subpart C - Special Flight Rules Subpart D - Commercial Operations - General Subpart E - Commercial Operations – Operating Requirements Subpart F - Instruments and Equipment Appendix A - Third Party Risk Appendix B - Overload Weight Determination Appendix C - Tables Appendix D - Instruments and Equipment Airworthiness Design Standards

Part 139 Aerodromes Certification, Operation and Use

Subpart A - General Subpart AA - Determination of qualifying aerodrome Subpart B - Certification requirements Subpart C - Operating requirements for aerodrome Subpart D - Aerodrome and navigation installation security Subpart F - UNICOM and AWIB services Subpart G - Certification requirements for qualifying aerodrome operator certificate Subpart H - Operating requirements for qualifying aerodrome Subpart I - Operating requirements – non-certificated aerodromes Appendix A - Aerodrome physical characteristics Appendix B - Reference code Appendix C - Physical characteristics Appendix D - Obstacle restriction and removal Appendix E - Visual aids for navigation Appendix F - Visual aids for denoting obstacles Appendix G - Visual aids for denoting restricted use areas Appendix H - Electrical systems

Part 140 Providers of Aviation Security Services

Subpart A - General Subpart B - General Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Appendix A - Security Operational Standards

Part 141 Aviation Training Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Standard Certification Requirements Subpart C - Standard Operating Requirements Subpart D - Restricted Aviation Training Organisation Certificate

Part 145 Aircraft Maintenance Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements

Part 146 Aircraft Design Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Appendix A - Delegation for the approval of design changes

Part 147 Maintenance Training Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Maintenance Training Organisation Certificate Subpart C - Restricted Maintenance Training Organisation Certificate Subpart D - Transitional Provisions

Part 148 Aircraft Manufacturing Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements

Part 149 Aviation Recreation Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements

Part 157 Notice of Construction, Alteration, Activation, and Deactivation of Aerodromes

Subpart A - General

Part 171 Aeronautical Telecommunication Services - Operation and Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Subpart D - Facility Specifications and Requirements

Part 172 Air Traffic Service Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Subpart D - Other Air Traffic Services Subpart E - Separation criteria and minima Subpart F - Standard phraseology Subpart G - ATS surveillance procedures

Part 173 Instrument Flight Procedure Service Organisation - Certification and Operation

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Subpart D - Design criteria—instrument flight procedure Appendix A - Qualifications and experience for senior persons

Part 174 Aviation Meteorological Service Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements

Part 175 Aeronautical Information Service Organisations Certification

Subpart A - General Subpart B - Certification Requirements Subpart C - Operating Requirements Subpart D - Aeronautical Information Publication New Zealand Subpart E - Aeronautical Information Circulars Subpart F - NOTAM

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Civil Aviation Act 1990 Rules

AC121-7-AC125-2 - Ditching - Techniques, Hazards, and Survival: A Basis for Assessing Risk

Download the PDF version of this advisory circular [PDF 763 KB]

Published date: 12 June 2026

Purpose

This AC describes an acceptable means of compliance with the requirements under Civil Aviation Rule Parts 121 and 125 relating to ditching of an aircraft. It discusses ditching techniques, preparedness and procedures that may enhance the chance of survival should a ditching becomes necessary.

Related rules

This AC relates to Part 121 and Part 125, specifically to rule 121.67, rule 121.363, rule 125.87 and rule 125.363. It also relates to rule 91.525.

Change notice

Revision 3 updates this AC to align with the changes to rule 91.525 and the corresponding Civil Aviation Transport Instrument:

CATI 91.525 [PDF 581 KB]

We have also made stylistic and formatting updates to align with current AC style.

Download PDF [763 KB]