'What the...?'

There's no good time to have an engine failure, but some are better than others. After taking off is never one of them.

Jim Wolper

Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multi-engine flying necessitates precise, pre-planned actions and correct control inputs, particularly during engine failures near the ground, emphasizing the critical role of rudder over aileron to counteract yaw.
Effective multi-engine training is paramount, focusing on comprehensive system understanding, practicing engine feathering and securing procedures, and rigorously adhering to checklists to mitigate common pilot errors.
Older multi-engine aircraft present unique challenges due to less comprehensive documentation, complex interdependent systems, and a scarcity of critical performance data, demanding extra pilot study and scenario planning.
Multi-engine instructors carry a high responsibility to conduct safe yet effective training, preparing students for rapid-onset emergencies without unnecessary risks or overly dangerous "realism."

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The takeoff seemed to go well, right up until the left engine failed. Autofeather quickly had the propeller blades of the failed engine turned to minimize drag. I raised the landing gear; I did not need to worry about flaps because I never take off with flaps in this airplane. The multi-engine pilot’s rosary—power up, clean up, identify, verify, feather—was complete.

So why wouldn’t the airplane climb?