A Turnback Fails

Failure of an airplane’s single engine shortly after takeoff is an event all pilots dread. When it happens, we’re low and slow. We lack the potential energy of speed and altitude, have little time to respond and few options. When such a failure happens, it’s natural—in some ways—for a pilot to want to be back on the runway he or she just used. It’s right there—behind us—and seemingly offers several solutions to our problems. One thing the runway has going for it is, well, it’s a runway. We know it’s a perfectly good runway because we just used it. Another attraction is resources: There’s usually a maintenance facility or at least a mechanic who can set things right. If only we can make it back to the runway we just departed, this pesky engine failure will be okay.

Key Takeaways:

• Attempting to return to the departure runway (a "turnback") after an engine failure shortly after takeoff is highly risky and unlikely to succeed due to insufficient energy and the precise piloting required.
• Instead, the recommended procedure for an engine failure at low altitude is to lower the nose to best glide attitude and land straight ahead or within a 45-60 degree angle of the runway in a suitable off-airport area.
• A tragic accident involving a Beech Bonanza illustrates this danger, where the pilot's decision to attempt a turnback after engine failure led to a fatal crash despite other emergency landing options being available.
• Pilots should prioritize finding an unobstructed field, highway, or other off-airport site for a controlled forced landing, rather than attempting a high-risk turnback.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.