And there has been more than a few that shut down the good engine. I have experienced 3 complete single piston engine failures 2 due to failed threaded cast iron cylinder to aluminum head joint failure, and once where the mechanic who overhauled the engine (before I was part owner) didn't replace 4 small bolts and 4 dowel pins that hold the main (drives cam and mags) gear on the end of the crankshaft. All times made it to a paved runway and landed safely. Quit flying a year ago, but that wasn't the full reason. :) And then there was DC-10 ?? the ran out of fuel over the Atlantic, and just made it with zero to spare to the Azores. ~) Nate Duehr wrote: > On 4/25/07, pete@petertodd.ca wrote: > >> On Wed, Apr 25, 2007 at 10:50:18AM -0600, Nate Duehr wrote: >> >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_engine >>> >>> Some twin-engine designs try to eliminate the "critical engine" >>> scenario by mounting counter-rotating engines on each wing. >>> >> Makes me think that in engine failure scenarios the poor pilot would >> suddenly have to deal with all those pesky rotational induced effects... >> right when he would rather think about something else. >> > > That's why you're trained NOT to think about anything else. :-) > Multi-engine pilots are drilled, then drilled, then drilled some more > on the emergency procedures for a dead engine, hopefully in the > specific aircraft type and aircraft they are flying. > > "Dead foot, dead engine"... e.g. the foot that's not pushing on a > pedal is the side the engine's dead on... (you'd be amazed how may > accidents pilots have caused via shutdown/feather the OPERATING > engine!) > > Fly at MCA (minimum controllable airspeed) or faster (preferably > faster!) or you'll find yourself yawing dramatically or rolling upside > down in worst-case scenarios... > > Confirm... > > Confirm... > > Confirm... > > Attempt restart/relight if possible. If not possible, feather dead > engine propeller, etc... > > All depends on the aircraft. Bigger aircraft have auto-feather systems, etc. > > But generally, yes... an engine out in a light twin is a bigger > "emergency" than in a whiz-bang do-everything-for-the-pilot bigger > aircraft. > > The morbid joke about light twins is: "What's the second engine for > in a light twin aircraft? To get you to the scene of the crash." > > An engine failure in a light twin of the critical engine requires your > full uninterrupted attention, immediately. > > Nate > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist