General AviaƟon FAA Joint Steering CommiƩee Aviaon Safety Training Aid

January 2016

Aircraft Control After Engine Failure on Takeoff

Studies have shown that startle responses during unexpected situaons such as power‐plant failure during takeoff or inial climb have contributed to loss of control of aircra. By including an appropriate plan of acon in a departure briefing for a power‐plant failure during takeoff or inial climb, you can manage your startle response and maintain aircra control.

Considerations for Takeoff Brief Best Practices

The briefing given by the pilot‐in‐command As part of pre‐planning and preparaon, (PIC) should be specific for each flight. Avoid consider these in case of a power‐plant failure allowing the checklist to become roune and create during and aer take‐off. Addional training and complacency. pracce — in a safe environment with a flight instructor — can reduce the startle response to an  Airport Info: Consider runway condions, traffic acvies, and airspace complexies. unexpected event, such as an actual power‐plant failure, and improve outcomes.  Idenfy V Speeds: Airspeeds such as Vy, Vx, Vr and best glide should be considered for current  Straight Ahead or Turn Back? Research condions prior to takeoff. indicates a higher probability of survival if you connue straight ahead following an engine  Terrain/Obstrucons: Mountains, power‐lines, failure aer take‐off. Turning back actually trees or towers may become obstrucons requires a turn of greater than 180 degrees aer during emergencies; idenfy them prior to taking into account the turning radius. Making a departure. turn at low altudes and airspeeds could create  Abort Point: Establish an abort point prior to a scenario for a stall/spin accident. take‐off. Abort if you haven’t achieved 70%  Praccing the Turn Back: Turning back to the takeoff speed by the runway midpoint. airport may be a natural reacon to an  Aer Li‐off: Once the informaon above is emergency on takeoff. Aircra performance, determined, brief your plan for an engine failure wind, terrain, and your startle response are during and aer take‐off. some areas that need to be considered prior to making the decision to turn around. Praccing this maneuver at a safe altude will provide you with experience in seeing how much altude is lost during the turn.

ConƟnued on Next Page www.FAASafety.gov Produced by FAA’s General Aviaon and Commercial Division Training Considerations Additional Resources

 Spend me with a flight instructor discussing  Flight Risk Assessment Tool and reviewing items previously menoned, and hp://1.usa.gov/1LJ1xU0 idenfying factors that could affect you in the  “Managing the Unexpected” GAJSC Fact Sheet hp://1.usa.gov/1UnMn91 event of an unexpected situaon. This will help  “Loss of Control‐Inflight” Safety Brochure encourage a thorough pilot briefing prior to hp://1.usa.gov/1Go16xP departure and enhance your preparedness for  “The Impossible Turn?” unexpected events. Addional factors may be hp://www.pilotworkshop.com/ps/ pernent to your aircra type, airport takeoff_impossible_turn.htm  “Engine Failure on Takeoff” environment or other flying condions. hp://www.pilotworkshop.com/ps/  Receive emergency procedures training to brush engine_failure_takeoff.htm up on areas not frequently reviewed and to pracce emergency procedures in the aircra, especially if you are operang a new aircra and/or new equipment.

 While receiving emergency procedures training, consider the altude required and aerodynamic consideraons while performing a 180 degree turn simulang a return to the runway aer a power‐plant failure aer takeoff. This training should be performed at an altude to ensure a safe recovery in the event of a stall/spin.

 Pracce landing on a non‐paved runway to simulate an emergency landing off airport.

 Receive comprehensive upset recovery training by a qualified training provider to enhance aircra control when reacng to an unexpected events, which may lead to loss of control.

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