Abnormals

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A deep understanding of aircraft systems and their potential failure modes is crucial for pilots to diagnose and manage emergencies not explicitly covered by standard checklists.
Partial engine failures can often be addressed in-flight by troubleshooting issues related to fuel, air, or spark using cockpit instruments and controls, while control system and landing gear problems require specific diagnostic steps and compensatory actions.
When facing critical failures like partial gear extension, pilots must accept the likelihood of airframe damage, prioritize occupant safety, communicate with ATC, and choose a suitable airport with emergency services for landing, rather than risking further complications.

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Things can go “bump” in the night. Daytime, too. Most of them either have been considered before or encountered by someone, resulting in a section of your AFM/POH labeled “Emergency Procedures.”
But not everything that can happen is covered there: Pilots are constantly inventing new ways to screw up, and the aircraft themselves can present something new and different, or at least something that appears new and different, especially as they age. The bad news is there’s no checklist to cover everything that can go wrong. The good news? Some portion or combination of checklists might get you through. The better news? A solid understanding of how the aircraft’s systems work and their various failure modes provides you an excellent chance to get home.