The paper presents a method for assessing complex structural water impacts using non-linear Finite Element analysis. The approach taken is discussed along with the validation of both the method and the models. The paper also considers the difficulty in finding suitable validation studies for these types of complex impacts. The results of the validation and a preliminary impact study are considered. The results of the validation are generally encouraging although further work is required in this area. The authors gratefully acknowledge the UK Civil Aviation Authority for funding this work.