The Real Risks Of Engine Failures

Before taking steps to minimize the risk of engine failures, we probably should try to quantify it. Thanks to the way U.S. aviation mishaps are cataloged, its safe to say that engine failures happen more often than the data reflect. The sidebar at the bottom of the opposite page goes into greater detail, but its safe to say engine failures that dont result in substantial damage, serious injury or death arent part of the data. In fact, the NTSBs definitions specifically exclude [e]ngine failure or damage limited to an engine if only one engine fails or is damaged.... The punchline is that official data underestimate the actual and unknown engine-failure rate. Personal experience bears this out.

Robert Wright

Monday, October 29, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Engine failures in small piston aircraft are a significant and often underestimated risk, necessitating continuous pilot preparedness and proactive management strategies.
Effective risk management for engine failures involves a dual approach: reducing the *likelihood* of occurrence through diligent maintenance and operational practices, and minimizing the *severity* of consequences should a failure happen.
Key mitigation strategies include maintaining pilot proficiency in emergency procedures, utilizing altitude to provide more options, installing safety equipment, and making informed decisions to avoid or adapt to hazardous flight profiles (e.g., night, IMC, inhospitable terrain) that exacerbate engine failure outcomes.

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Almost from the beginning of our flight training, pilots are drilled on simulated engine failures in every phase of flight. Once we’re introduced to dealing with engine failures, we practice and perfect them, and then revisit them to ensure proficiency. This training is necessary because, although generally reliable, small airplane engines do still fail, especially if they are piston engines. Good inspection and maintenance practices plus proper operation help minimize or eliminate the risk.

However, the likelihood (probability) of an engine failure and even its severity (consequences) can be managed ahead of time so that a failure might be less likely and, if one does happen, you might be in a better position to land without injury and maybe without damage.