Learn to Expect the Unexpected

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lux on April 13, 2009 at 10:38pm

No, the landing gear failure was not related to the engine failure. But it confused me for a about 20 seconds because I focused on a "landing gear" problem. The engine failure started with a high-speed runaway propeller. At first it didn't make any sense. I thought "Can they be related somehow?" I even asked Atlanta Center if they had any ideas? The funny part is.....

You won't believe how quickly a landing gear failure becomes a "non-issue" when you have a cabin full of smoke! The landing gear just drops off your list of priorities.

We were very fortunate that day! What saved us was some good aeronautical decision making, a tail wind, and an Angel under our wings!

Gary Lux

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Permalink Reply by Ben C on April 16, 2009 at 3:02am

your a CFI, huh? will you move me to dallas and teach me to fly? i already have an instructor, but i dont know how hed handle that situation in a V tail bonanza!!! how many hours do you have?

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Permalink Reply by Gary Lux on May 3, 2009 at 11:43am

Hi Ben,

I think you'll find your flight instructor is well prepared for an engine out emergency. It all comes down to following your basic flight training. The #1 rule in any emergency is "Fly The Airplane." That may seem obvious, but without proper training a pilot can become so overwhelmed with trying to handle an emergency that they forget to "fly the airplane"...typically meaning they loose situational awarness and stall the plane. That's why your stall prevention and recovery training is such an absolutely crtical part of your primary flight training.

An engine failure in a light training airplane is really not a big deal. You're simply become a rather poor, inefficient "glider" when the propeller stops turning. But you had better know what to do BEFORE it happens: Take IMMEDIATE ACTIONS to (1) Fly The Airplane (2) Maintain Airspeed (Maintain best glide airspeed. No time to look it up! Gotta know it in advance.) (3) Select the best landing area (Don't forget to look directly below you. There might be a beautiful field below you. If you're surprised to see an airport below you .. shame on you for your lack of situational awarness) (4) Be able to perform immediate Emergency Checklist procedures by memory. (5) Communicate with ATC if possible.

Remember, most single engine failures are due to some type of fuel starvation issue. Perform emergency fuel checks first. In a Cessna 172 this can be doing a simple upside down "L" pattern starting at the Fuel Selector valve, Fuel Shut Off Valve, then up to the Mixture and Throttle controls and across to the Fuel Pump left side of the instrument panel. Know your airplane! Review emergency fuel and electrical check procedures before each flight. (I insist that my students actually touch the items and verbalize each step as they touch them.)

You really should never cross the runway "Holding Line" without saying "Today's The Day" -- Meaning you expect an emergency to happen on this takeoff and you already KNOW how your going to handle it! If you have a plan established before you takeoff...you're chances for a safe return to earth are much better. (Please note I did not say "return to the airport." That's an entirely different topic.)


Sorry for the delay in responding to your comments. Our entire AirplanesDirect.com team was "all hands on deck" at Sun-N-Fun. We just returned. We've posted some great photos from Sun-N-Fun on our website at www.AirplanesDirect.com. Hope you enjoy them.

Gary D. Lux, CFII, CEO
www.AirplanesDirect.com

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Permalink Reply by Ben C on May 8, 2009 at 8:24am

I trust my instructor completely, i bet he's been in a few serious situations, too. so, do you know what caused both failures?

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