How Is an Engine Failure Handled on a Boeing 777?

Considering that a Boeing 777-300 with GE 90-115 engines has a thrust rating of 115,000 pounds per side, the resulting asymmetric thrust from a failure is a force to be reckoned with.

Les Abend

Thursday, February 09, 2023 at 12:48 PM ET

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The reaction of a 777 pilot should be to recite the iconic verbiage of, “Dead foot, dead engine,” and then apply foot pressure to the appropriate rudder pedal. [Courtesy: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

An engine failure on a Boeing 777 creates significant asymmetric thrust, managed through pilot input, powerful hydraulics, and electronic flight controls.
Pilots counteract the asymmetric thrust by applying rudder pressure, following the "Dead foot, dead engine" principle.
The 777 is equipped with a Thrust Asymmetry Compensation (TAC) system that automatically applies rudder pressure when differential thrust exceeds 10%, assisting the pilot, especially during low-speed takeoff.

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QUESTION: How is an engine failure handled on a Boeing 777?

Answer: Considering that a Boeing 777-300 with GE 90-115 engines has a thrust rating of 115,000 pounds per side, the resulting asymmetric thrust from a failure is a force to be reckoned with. Granted, 3,000 psi of hydraulic pressure to the rudder and an electronic flight control system helps a lot. But there’s a bit more to it.

READ MORE: When Is It OK To Use Pitot Heat?

Like any twin-engine airplane, the reaction of a 777 pilot should be to recite the iconic verbiage of, “Dead foot, dead engine,” and then apply foot pressure to the appropriate rudder pedal.