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Getting Tired of Tragic Accidents After Engine Failures on Takeoff? Yeah, Me Too

Engine failure accidents on takeoff are a controversial subject but one well worth the attention of GA pilots.

Attempts to make successful, emergency 180-degree returns to a runway on climbout are too often catastrophic. [iStock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Many tragic accidents involving engine failures after takeoff occur when pilots instinctively attempt a dangerous 180-degree turn back to the runway.
  • This "turn back" maneuver is exceedingly difficult and often catastrophic at low altitudes due to the startle factor, increased stall speed in turns, and delayed pilot reaction.
  • Pilots are urged to critically assess the feasibility of a turn back and, especially at low altitudes, prioritize immediately pitching for best glide and selecting a suitable landing spot straight ahead.
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I was scribbling on the blank half of a magazine page with an ad for bed pillows as I thought about this column. It seemed appropriate to use “Me, Too” instead of “Us, Too” since it’s remotely possible some readers might disagree with me.

I’m a plain-Jane, single-engine-land private pilot with an instrument rating now, but I spent many years and lots of flight time instructing, testing, and examining, both in and out of the FAA. And, heaven knows, as well as the FAA and a large part of the flying and nonflying world, that I don’t always play by the rules. But there’s a particular emergency that bothers me and needs discussion because tragic accidents related to it keep happening.

Martha Lunken

Martha Lunken is a lifelong pilot, former FAA inspector and defrocked pilot examiner. She flies a Cessna 180 and anything with a tailwheel, from Cubs to DC-3s.

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