Single-Engine Risks

While few of us feel that flying a single is particularly risky, add night and then add mountains and the risk is clearly higher. Add IMC and, well ...

dboyd

Monday, August 05, 2024 at 07:05 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Operating single-engine aircraft at night and over hilly terrain significantly increases the risk of fatal accidents.
In the event of an engine failure under these conditions, pilots should proactively consider diverse landing options beyond the nearest airport, including highways (which show favorable safety statistics) or suitable open fields using modern navigation aids.
Mitigation strategies include maintaining adequate altitude, using supplemental oxygen, continuously planning for available glide-down landing sites, and adhering to higher weather minimums for night flights.

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Poring over accident reports is my mainstay as an aviation-safety researcher and after many years I’ve developed a thick skin about most accidents I research. However, a recent fatal accident (November 2023—NTSB ERA24FA050) involving a turbocharged Piper Saratoga (N4187Q) on an IFR flight plan between Scott Municipal Airport (KSCX) in Tennessee and HL Sonny Callahan Airport (KCQF) in Alabama struck close to home.

The pilot had been a member of our flying club and I had flown his leased-back Saratoga TC on multiple occasions. Although the final NTSB report has yet to be published, I want to explore two of the operational risk factors applicable to the accident flight, namely night and hilly terrain. I’ll dive into published research on the level of risk we assume when operating a single-engine airplane under these conditions. I’ll also explore how we can mitigate such risks.