Fire in the Air , Engine Failure in the Air

Engine Fire

If the aircraft in flight suffers an engine fire then the pilot should shut the engine down and make no attempt to restart it. In a single engine aircraft the pilot will have to make a forced landing. 

Engine Failure

In the event of an engine failure, the pilot will have to quickly check  the fuel and electrics to see if that was the cause. If  it was not the cause ,and the pilot could not restart the engine, a forced landing will have to be made. This briefing is about how to carry out the forced landing.

Standard Drill

The first thing the pilot should do is to prevent the nose from dropping thus increasing your rate of descent. You therefore need to descend at best gliding speed. Retrim the aircraft. (70 knots would be best gliding speed for most light aircraft.) DO NOT climb to gain height that is for movie stars.

Then
Look for a suitable field, assess the wind and then turn downwind. At the point you would turn from downwind to base leg in a circuit you should be at 1000ft. You will then turn base leg for the field. Remember your BUMPF checklist

On base leg lower part flap, turn final either normally or modified due to height.  If too high you may on base leg turn out instead of flying exactly 90 degrees or if to low turn in slightly. 

On turning final add more flap when you are sure that the field can be reached.
When full flap has been lowered turn off all the electrics and the fuel cock if you have not already done so (as would be the case in an engine fire) Unlatch the door land with the nose up and tail down.

Notes
Basically you are flying a circuit without power the difference is depending on your height at the time of failure is whether you fly a crosswind leg or a modified short or long downwind leg, base or final. The crucial point is the 1000ft point at the turn from Downwind to Base leg.

Remember your BUMPF Checklist and get a Mayday Call out on the distress and diversion channel so that the team can get a bearing on you. if you are in touch with ATC advise them.

Aim initially to touchdown one third of the way into the field before going to full flap.

In looking for a suitable field check the approaches for obstructions such as power lines, masts etc they are very difficult to see from the air.

Practice

You can practice this at any airfield by going overhead at say 3000 ft and then cutting the throttle and gliding yourself round the circuit and hopefully land on the runway. or pick a field in one of Flight Simulators amazing scenery. Most aircraft glide on a ratio of 3 to 1 so for every 1000ft of height the aircraft will glide about 3 miles. Get to know your best gliding speed by reading the aircraft's handbook.

Good Luck

 Never do this for real without proper flight training from an instructor, this is for general interest only. Flight simulator is OK.

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