All Or Nothing?

The question is as old as the powered aviation itself: Assuming a single-engine airplane, if power is lost immediately after takeoff, should you land straight ahead or try to get back to the airport? This magazine has often addressed the question, including a January 2006 article by spinmeister Rich Stowell. Rich detailed the results of a simulator-based study examining "the feasibility of successfully executing a 180-degree turnaround following an engine failure at 500 feet agl." The study concluded that practicing the maneuver boosted its success rate, but landing straight ahead (or nearly so) had a higher success rate.

Tom Turner

Thursday, October 03, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Delta and United Airlines both reported having to cancel flights on Christmas Eve. [Courtesy: Delta]

Key Takeaways:

The article addresses the enduring debate and perceived contradictory FAA guidance on whether to land straight ahead or attempt a 180-degree turn (the "impossible turn") following an engine failure immediately after takeoff. While generally discouraged due to extreme difficulty and low success rates, the FAA still requires instructors to train pilots on this maneuver under safe, simulated conditions.
The core recommendation is "range awareness," which dictates a graduated response based on altitude: below 400 feet AGL, the only viable option is straight ahead; 400-700 feet AGL may allow a 90-degree turn; 700-1200 feet AGL opens up 180-degree options (often to airport property rather than the runway itself); and above 1200 feet AGL offers the best chance to return to the departure runway.
This "range awareness" approach emphasizes that the decision is not all-or-nothing, but rather a dynamic choice requiring pre-flight briefing, knowledge of surrounding terrain, and constant awareness of current altitude to maximize survival chances for passengers and pilot.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The question is as old as the powered aviation itself: Assuming a single-engine airplane, if power is lost immediately after takeoff, should you land straight ahead or try to get back to the airport? This magazine has often addressed the question, including a January 2006 article by spinmeister Rich Stowell. Rich detailed the results of a simulator-based study examining “the feasibility of successfully executing a 180-degree turnaround following an engine failure at 500 feet agl.” The study concluded that practicing the maneuver boosted its success rate, but landing straight ahead (or nearly so) had a higher success rate.

For decades the FAA tried to make the decision for us, dubbing the return-to-runway attempt “the impossible turn.” It’s never worth the risk, the FAA told us. Yet, current FAA guidance still requires instructors to train pilots on maneuvering back to the runway in the event of engine failure. Should we land straight ahead, or turn back to the runway? Is returning to the runway following a power loss after takeoff an all-or-nothing decision?