I was providing flight instruction toward a commercial rating with a student whom I had recently helped obtain her instrument rating. We were flying my own Cessna Cardinal RG, and we had already flown together a great deal. In fact, she actually handled the airplane better than I did in most cases, especially landings. Because she was getting close to the check ride, every takeoff and landing was either a simulated soft field or maximum performance one, since those would be check ride items.
Loss of Power on Takeoff
Key Takeaways:
- During a unique max-performance takeoff in a Cessna Cardinal RG, an instructor and student experienced a sudden apparent engine power loss at low altitude, necessitating an immediate emergency landing on the runway.
- The student's swift and correct reaction to push the yoke forward, pre-briefed by the instructor on the critical importance of counteracting thrust vector loss during engine failure, was crucial in preventing a stall and ensuring a safe outcome.
- The incident profoundly changed the instructor's approach, emphasizing the absolute necessity of constant vigilance and readiness to assume control during all critical phases of flight, particularly takeoffs and landings.
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