GlobalAir – Aviation News
Posted By: Divinity Price, GlobalAir.com
Few moments in a pilot’s career are as heart-stopping as an engine failure in a twin-engine aircraft. While the redundancy of a second engine provides a safety net, mishandling the situation can turn a manageable emergency into a catastrophe.
Recognizing the Failure
In a Piper PA-44 Seminole, engine failures are typically recognized by a sudden yaw toward the failed engine, loss of thrust, and possibly an illuminated annunciator panel. The aircraft will begin to roll toward the dead engine as drag increases. This is where instinct and training take over.
“Dead Foot, Dead Engine”
One of the first memory items drilled into every multi-engine pilot is the “dead foot, dead engine” rule. If the right engine fails, the left foot applies pressure to counteract yaw, while the right foot goes slack. This simple but crucial cue helps identify the failed engine quickly.