A simple answer is because you're less likely to drown on land. Open sea normally has waves of at least a meter, so any landing will be a controlled crash with structural damage. Part of the fuselage may be full of water very quickly, and there will be limited time to evacuate everyone, including the injured.

While water is liquid, hitting it at flight speeds (often over 130 knots) is physically similar to hitting concrete. In many unsuccessful "ditchings," the aircraft's nose or an engine pod "digs into" the water, causing the plane to flip, cartwheel, or break apart instantly due to the massive drag. Another major factor is situational awareness; over "glassy" or calm water, pilots struggle to judge their height, leading them to fly into the water at a steep angle. Even if the landing is successful (like the "Miracle on the Hudson"), survival is threatened by hypothermia (water saps body heat 25 times faster than air) and drowning if the fuselage is breached. In 2026, aviation safety experts point out that modern low-wing aircraft with under-slung engines are particularly prone to "digging in," which can rip the wings off or cause the cabin to flood in seconds. Success requires a perfect "flare" to ensure the tail touches first, keeping the nose high, but even a slight swell or wave can turn a controlled descent into a catastrophic impact that few can survive.