Recently, the AOPA Web site featured a video shot by Mooney pilot Dave Keller of an eventful takeoff. Unfortunately, the engine in Kellers Mooney failed shortly after liftoff on February 6, 2009. Fortunately for both the pilot and us, he had set up a video camera to record the flight. Equally fortunate, he was taking off from his home base, and was very familiar with the runway layout and the airplane. 288
Turning Back, Again
Recently, the AOPA Web site featured a video shot by Mooney pilot Dave Keller of an eventful takeoff. Unfortunately, the engine in Kellers Mooney failed shortly after liftoff on February 6, 2009. Fortunately for both the pilot and us, he had set up a video camera to record the flight. Equally fortunate, he was taking off from his home base, and was very familiar with the runway layout and the airplane. Keller turned back to the departure airport, where he managed to land, deadstick, on a different runway. He emerged uninjured and the airplane was undamaged. The video presentation is available online at http://tinyurl.com/yev96er.
Key Takeaways:
- A pilot successfully executed a "turnback" maneuver after an engine failure shortly after takeoff, but experts, including the pilot himself, strongly caution against this high-risk maneuver as a standard response.
- Studies have shown that while practicing the turnback maneuver can improve success rates, landing straight ahead is a more consistently successful response to engine failure after takeoff.
- The pilot's successful outcome was attributed to unique factors like extensive experience, familiarity with his aircraft and airport, and exceptional airmanship, underscoring the critical importance of mastering specific airspeeds for emergency situations.
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