Engine Failures

Last week I told the story of my first engine failure in Joe’s Luck.  Looking back from the vantage point of 30 years, it’s pretty funny.  At the time, however, it lacked any humor; it was not until I slept on it that I began to see the wit of the situation.

Of course, engine failures are not a laughing matter.  However, they don’t have to be as serious as some pilots, the public, and most certainly, the news media, tend to view them.  Handled correctly, an engine failure may be nothing more than a simple inconvenience.  Keep in mind, if handled correctly.

So how do you handle an engine failure in an airplane correctly?

First, keep your head.  Secondly, be well trained and follow through on your training.  And finally, stay cool, calm, and collected.

Now, I will tell you the secret for accomplishing these three tasks.  If you are well rested, properly hydrated, and eating well, you should have no problem with any emergency that comes your way.

When you have had enough sleep and can think clearly, you are rested.  Rest is one of the most important factors in being able to reason and use your intellect during any crisis.

When it comes to hydration, keep in mind this means water.  You know, that H₂O stuff, the clear liquid which makes up most of our body.  Without it your brain will short circuit and malfunction.  This is something you do not need in the middle of an emergency.  As much as we may wish, carbonated and caffeinated beverages do not qualify as proper liquids for purposes of hydration.

Finally, you have to eat well if you are to keep your body primed for any emergency.  This means taking in the proper number of calories spread out over the entire day.  Additionally, the calories have to come from foods which are legitimately good for you.  You know, those food groups your mom and dad tried making you eat when you were younger.  Fast foods and milkshakes will not cut it this business.

Now, here are the brass tacks in dealing with engine failures.

When the engine fails at altitude, the most important thing you need to know is the wind direction.  Always turn the airplane into the wind.  In order, these are the procedures you have to accomplish immediately.  First, pitch the nose down and use your trim to set the correct glide speed.  Next, pick a place to land keeping the wind direction in mind, in order to plan your approach and landing directly into the wind.  Finally, check proper positioning of the fuel valve; turn on the fuel boost pump.  If the engine quit when the carburetor heat was off, pull it on and if it was on, push the control in.  Try switching to each magneto independently; one mag may have failed and the other is perfectly fine.  Also remember to follow all of the recommended procedures in the pilots operating handbook (POH).

After completing these three items, and if you have time, now you can talk on the radio.  Make certain you do all those other things first.  Remember, the rule is to aviate, navigate, and then communicate.

Talking on the radio is way down on the list of priorities.

-30-

© 2010 J. Clark

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