Emergency Procedures Engine Out Landing - Complete Checklist & Site Selection

1. Initial Response to Engine Failure

When an engine fails, your immediate response determines the outcome. The first priority is maintaining aircraft control and establishing the best glide speed. For most single-engine aircraft, this ranges from 65-85 knots, depending on weight and configuration.

The initial emergency procedures engine out landing sequence follows the acronym ABC:

• Airspeed - Establish and maintain best glide speed
• Best field - Identify suitable landing sites
• Checklist - Execute engine failure checklist

Resist the urge to immediately attempt engine restart procedures. First secure the aircraft in a stable glide attitude. The aircraft's kinetic energy is now your only power source, and proper speed control maximizes your glide distance and options.

2. Comprehensive Engine Failure Checklist

A systematic approach to engine failure increases your chances of successful restart or safe landing. This checklist should be memorized for immediate items, then referenced for detailed procedures:

Immediate Items (Memory):

1. Airspeed - Best glide
2. Mixture - Rich
3. Fuel pump - ON (if equipped)
4. Fuel selector - Both/Fullest tank

Detailed Checklist Items:

• Magnetos - Check both positions
• Carburetor heat - ON (carbureted engines)
• Primer - Check locked
• Engine gauges - Check for indications
• Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) - Activate if landing assured
• Transponder - 7700
• Radio - Mayday call on current frequency, then 121.5

Execute restart attempts only after establishing glide and identifying landing options. Multiple restart attempts may waste valuable altitude and time needed for landing preparation.

3. Landing Site Selection Criteria

Selecting an appropriate emergency landing site requires systematic evaluation of available options. The acronym WISE provides a framework for site assessment:

W - Wind Direction: Landing into the wind reduces ground speed and landing distance. Use visual indicators like smoke, flags, or wave patterns on water to determine wind direction.

I - Immediate Accessibility: Choose sites within your glide range. Calculate glide distance using a 10:1 ratio for most trainers (10 nautical miles per 1,000 feet AGL in no-wind conditions).

S - Surface Conditions: Evaluate runway surface, slope, and obstacles. Prepared surfaces like airports or highways offer the best outcomes, but suitable fields may provide safe alternatives.

E - Emergency Services: Consider proximity to populated areas for rescue and medical assistance, balanced against surface quality and approach safety.

Site Priority Order:

1. Airports within glide distance
2. Long, straight highways with light traffic
3. Large, flat fields (minimum 1,000 feet length preferred)
4. Beaches or dry lake beds
5. Golf courses or parks

4. Approach Planning and Execution

Once a landing site is selected, plan your approach using standard traffic pattern principles adapted for emergency conditions. The key is energy management - trading altitude for position without creating an impossible approach.

Pattern Entry Considerations:

• Enter on a 45-degree angle to the downwind leg when possible
• Maintain pattern altitude until abeam the intended touchdown point
• Use forward slips or S-turns to lose excess altitude
• Plan for a longer final approach to allow fine adjustments

Configuration Management:

Configure the aircraft progressively through the pattern. Deploy flaps incrementally to maintain approach speed control. Full flap configuration should typically be delayed until landing is assured, as flaps cannot be retracted if you're low on energy.

Monitor your approach angle continuously. If the landing site appears to be moving up in the windscreen, you're too low. If it's moving down, you're too high and may overshoot. Adjust with forward slips or shallow S-turns to maintain a stable approach path.

5. Environmental Factors and Weather Impact

Weather conditions dramatically affect emergency landing procedures and site selection. Wind, visibility, and atmospheric conditions must be factored into every decision during the emergency sequence.

Wind Considerations:

Strong surface winds affect both site selection and approach planning. Crosswind calculations become critical when evaluating runway alignment at potential landing sites. Consider that emergency landings may require accepting crosswind components beyond normal limitations.

Visibility and Cloud Conditions:

Low visibility conditions limit site identification and approach planning. When operating in marginal conditions, maintain awareness of nearby airports and alternate landing sites. Proper weather briefing before flight helps identify potential emergency landing sites along your route.

Density Altitude Effects:

High density altitude conditions affect glide performance and landing distance requirements. The aircraft will have a higher ground speed during approach and require longer landing distance. Factor this into site selection, particularly when operating in mountainous terrain or high temperature conditions.

Terrain Considerations:

• Mountainous terrain limits gliding options and may create downdrafts
• Urban areas offer highways but present obstacles and populated area risks
• Coastal areas provide beaches but may have limited accessibility for rescue
• Agricultural regions often provide suitable fields but vary seasonally

6. Communication and Coordination

Effective communication during engine failure emergencies ensures proper coordination with air traffic control and emergency services. Clear, concise transmissions help expedite assistance and may provide critical information for successful resolution.

Radio Communication Priorities:

1. Aviate: Maintain aircraft control first
2. Navigate: Identify landing sites and plan approach
3. Communicate: Declare emergency and coordinate assistance

Standard Emergency Communication Format:

Information to Provide:

• Aircraft identification and type
• Nature of emergency
• Position and altitude
• Intended landing site
• Souls on board and fuel remaining
• Assistance required

If unable to contact ATC directly, use 121.5 MHz emergency frequency. Nearby aircraft often monitor this frequency and can relay messages to controllers. Squawk 7700 on your transponder to alert controllers to your emergency status.

7. Passenger Management and Preparation

Managing passengers during engine failure emergencies requires clear communication and specific preparation procedures. Passenger cooperation and understanding can significantly impact the outcome of an emergency landing.

Initial Passenger Communication:

Inform passengers of the situation clearly and calmly. Explain that you are executing emergency procedures and that they should follow your instructions precisely. Avoid technical details that might increase anxiety, but provide enough information to ensure cooperation.

Passenger Preparation Checklist:

• Seat belts and shoulder harnesses - Tight and locked
• Seat backs - Upright position
• Loose objects - Secured or removed
• Exit procedures - Brief if time permits
• Brace position - Demonstrate for landing

Emergency Equipment Preparation:

Direct passengers to locate emergency equipment including fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and emergency locator transmitter. Assign specific responsibilities to capable passengers to assist with post-landing procedures.

Landing Preparation:

Before final approach, ensure all passengers understand the brace position and emergency exit procedures. Remind them to remain seated after landing until you determine it's safe to exit the aircraft. Brief them on evacuation procedures if fire or fuel leak risks exist.