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Comment by throwaway8877 | Hacker News Reader

This thing looks highly vulnerable. Can it float when there is an issue with its engines?

Taking "float" literally meaning float in water: It's probably safer than a helicopter? I can't remember the name of the effect, but a helicopter in water automatically flips upside down because the heavy engines are mounted on the top. This causes the majority of deaths in helicopter water landings, even in shallow water, because the occupants can't egress due to disorientation.

The real question is does it flip upside down if it goes belly first into water.

Taking "float" meaning can it land: The blades in the V280 are connected so one engine can drive both props. This thing can also glide AND/or auto-rotate if needed... so I think it'd be pretty danged safe with a competent pilot.

Vulnerable to what exactly? Engine failure? It has two engines (like the Blackhawk) and either can drive both rotors if the other fails.

Do helicopters typically float?

Helicopters can autorotate in the case of engine failure, maybe that's what they meant?

This thing has wings. Feather the propellers/rotors and glide down. Same failure mode as any fixed-wing aircraft.

Tilt rotor aircraft have interconnected gearboxes so that they can fly on a single engine. In case of a dual engine failure in vertical lift mode the autorotation capability is very limited due to low rotor inertia; chance of survival is low from any significant altitude. In case of a dual engine failure in airplane mode it can glide like a regular airplane, but the glide ratio is low and stall speed is high so although in ideal circumstances the pilot might be able to put it down safely the most likely outcome is everyone dies.

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