'What the...?'

There's no good time to have an engine failure, but some are better than others. After taking off is never one of them.

Jim Wolper

Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multi-engine flight demands precise, decisive action and adherence to correct procedures during engine failures, as pilot errors or improper configuration can quickly lead to dangerous situations.
Effective multi-engine training must prioritize correct responses to engine failure, such as using rudder (not aileron) to counteract yaw and following securing checklists, as common mistakes can have fatal consequences.
Older multi-engine aircraft present unique operational challenges due to simpler documentation, critical systems tied to a single engine, and limited performance data, placing greater responsibility on pilots and instructors.

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The takeoff seemed to go well, right up until the left engine failed. Autofeather quickly had the propeller blades of the failed engine turned to minimize drag. I raised the landing gear; I did not need to worry about flaps because I never take off with flaps in this airplane. The multi-engine pilot’s rosary—power up, clean up, identify, verify, feather—was complete.

So why wouldn’t the airplane climb?