Is ‘The Impossible Turn’ Ever the Right Move?

If you are faced with a problem right after takeoff, you should be prepared to make the right decision.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 08:48 AM ET

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Although it's talked about often, an emergency 180-degree turnaround after trouble following takeoff is usually not advisable. [File photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are strongly advised against attempting a 180-degree "impossible turn" back to the airport after an engine failure on takeoff due to its extreme difficulty and high risk of accidents, often fueled by misplaced optimism.
Executing such a turn is statistically improbable for most pilots, requiring exceptional skill, sufficient altitude, and precise control that counters the increase in stall speed from steep bank angles.
Instead, pilots should prioritize pre-planning for engine failures by identifying suitable off-field landing options ahead of the aircraft and practicing emergency drills, while being realistic about their capabilities.

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When I tell people outside of aviation that I’m a pilot, they typically ask me, “Could Captain Sully and Jeff Skiles make it back to the airport, or was landing in the Hudson their best option?” The response is complicated because Sully—the movie based on the famous event—focused on the NTSB investigation that questioned the crew’s decision.

With nearby airports in view, should the CACTUS 1549 crew have attempted the “impossible turn”? Today, I’d be surprised if anyone doubted that the flight crew made the right decision not to return to the airport.