How do planes float on water?

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As we learned from the recent plane crash on the Hudson, planes can float for awhile, but they start to sink over time. i bet their ability to float would decrease in rough seas.

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Reply by elsewhen (627):
the materials used in airplane construction are very light (to improve their flying efficiency), and this ensures that their specific gravity is low. i bet if the fuselage was allowed to completely fill with water, a plane wouldnt be able to stay up for long. add a comment

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Answer by NealLeitereg (6)

Planes are designed to float on water because they incorporate built in air containers that cause them to have an increased level of bouyancy.

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Answer by Gary (11)

The fuselage of a plane is full of air and so it displaces a greater mass of water than the plane actually weighs. The effective specific gravity of the plane is less than one (one being the specific gravity of water) and so it must float.

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