This magazine often has discussed the so-called impossible turn: returning to the departure runway and landing downwind after an engine failure during takeoff. Our view of the impossible turn is that it is possible, but only with practice, sufficient altitude and some luck. Generally, executing a forced landing straight ahead is preferable to attempting a steeply banked turn at low altitude. This is especially true without engine power or sufficient airspeed above the wing’s stalling angle of attack to enable the steep turn.
One problem with trying to return to the departure runway in such an event is the inevitable delay in accepting the engine failure and making the decision to attempt the maneuver. Precious seconds and energy are lost while the pilot processes the situation and decides how to respond. By then, the airplane is even further away from the runway, and perhaps even lower and slower.
