Ditching Switch "ON"?

[Charley]

What's a "ditching switch"?

I'm watching the movie "Cast Away" (2000), starring Tom Hanks.

Early in the movie, Tom Hank's character is hitching a ride to Malaysia, as a FedEx employee, aboard a FedEx cargo jet.

I can't tell you for sure what type aircraft.

Some say Airbus, others say MD-11. But it's a movie so anything is possible.

While flying through a violent storm the plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean.

Just before impact a crew member in the cockpit yells out "ditching switch ON!"

I'm assuming the ditching switch automatically configures the aircraft in a certain way?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[skywag]

 

[Charley]

 

[GM.]

 

[Jeff K]

 

[GM.]

 

[Charley]

 

[Jeff K]

 

[Charley]

 

[voretaq7]