Engine Failure After Take Off

Aircraft are very reliable. If Checklists and the Operations Manual for the aircraft are followed no problems will normally occur. The worst possible failure the single engine aeroplane pilot can have is an engine failure after take off whilst still in the climb. This briefing is to teach you what to do.

The Rules are :-

1.DO NOT TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT.

2.IMMEDIATELY LOWER THE NOSE OF YOUR AIRCRAFT GET 70 KNOTS AIRSPEED AND TRIM.

3.PICK A FIELD EITHER STRAIGHT AHEAD OR 20 DEGREES EITHER SIDE OF THE NOSE FOR LANDING

4.CHECK YOUR FUEL AND ELECTRICS ,QUICKLY ATTEMPT ONE RESTART IF TIME PERMITS.

5.ATTEMPT TO OVERSHOOT THE FIELD SLIGHTLY THEN LOWER FLAPS 

6.ATTEMPT A MAYDAY CALL ,TURN OFF ELECTRICS AND FUEL COCKS OPEN THE IDLE CUT OFF SWITCH

7.ON LANDING TRY AND HOLD THE NOSE WHEEL OFF AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

NOTES

The reason you do not turn back to the airport is because, on a 180 degree rate one turn you will be a mile to the side of the airport. If you went more than a rate one turn your stall speed increases. You have no power to correct this. Make gentle turns to the left and right to avoid obstacles. Many crashes have occurred trying to turn back to the field.

The method above is the most survivable method. How much can be done depends on the time you have left due to the height loss and your height at the time of failure. Concentrate on getting the airspeed correct and a suitable field. Look for obstructions such as power wires, trees, masts and do your best to avoid them.

Practice this watch your Airspeed

Having now learnt this,

 we are ready to take you into the circuit to practice all what you have learnt so far. In the next lesson we will talk about the circuit. We will teach you how to land. Once you have learnt how to do this safely we will go on and teach you how to plan and navigate a route across country, applying Air Law. But first we have to to teach you the basics.