How Special Forces Land Helicopters on Water

Believe it or not, some helicopters are capable of landing on water—but for many of them, it’s a one-time deal. There are a few exceptions, though, like the CH-47 Chinook, which can not only land but also take off from water—with a little help from some “yellow duct tape.”

Now, it’s not actually duct tape but a super-sticky sealing tape designed to keep water from seeping inside and damaging the electronics. Before attempting a water landing, pilots must always check in with their maintenance team to make sure the aircraft is prepared.

Built for Water Landings

From the very start, the CH-47 Chinook was designed with water landings in mind. Engineers built sealed-off compartments into the helicopter’s sponsons and made the hull watertight, with critical components sealed off to prevent damage. Even more impressively, the underside of the helicopter was deliberately kept free of electronics, reducing the risk of electrical failures.

This design allowed the Chinook to land on water with waves up to 4 feet tall and stay afloat for about 30 minutes. Water would slowly seep into the hull, but a bilge pump could keep it afloat, even with the engines off, as long as the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) kept the batteries charged.

To get the helicopter ready for a water landing, crews had to seal the vents and install 27 drain plugs. With all this in place, Chinooks could perform amphibious operations during missions, like those seen in the Vietnam War. More recently, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has used this capability for Special Forces missions.

Why Chinooks Don’t Land in Water Anymore

So, if Chinooks were built to land on water, why don’t they do it anymore? The answer lies in maintenance and technology.

After every water landing, the aircraft has to be thoroughly cleaned—and that’s no small task. The floor needs to be removed to ensure all moisture is cleared out, and a corrosion inspection must be performed, especially after landing in salt water. On top of that, wheel bearings often need replacing since they take a beating during water landings.

This maintenance process is expensive and time-consuming, making it impractical for routine operations. On top of that, the latest model—CH-47F—has digital flight controls with electronics on the underside, increasing the risk of system failures if water seeps in.

Between the high maintenance costs and the risk of electronic malfunctions, most militaries have decided that water landings just aren’t worth it.

Helocasting: A Smarter Alternative

Instead of landing on water, many Special Forces now use a technique called helocasting. The helicopter, often a Chinook, hovers about 10 feet above the water while moving at around 10 knots. Soldiers jump into the water in pairs and then swim to shore.

The beauty of helocasting is that it’s quick to learn and easy to practice. It doesn’t involve the maintenance headaches of a full water landing and can be taught to just about anyone in 20 minutes on dry land.

The Bottom Line

While water landings are technically possible for some helicopters, the logistical nightmare that follows makes them rare. Helocasting has become the preferred method for amphibious operations—efficient, effective, and far less of a maintenance headache.