Should You Return to the Airport or Land Straight Ahead? A Tale of Challenges and Decisions in Aviation Emergencies
In the world of aviation, every takeoff and flight holds the potential for both excitement and uncertainty. One of the most critical decisions a pilot may face is whether to attempt a seemingly impossible turn back to the airport or to land straight ahead in the face of an emergency. This article delves deep into the intricacies of such situations, exploring the factors that influence these choices and the lessons learned from real-life examples.
Should you return to the airport, or land straight ahead? It depends…
This thought-provoking question hangs in the air as pilots navigate the complex realm of aviation emergencies. The story begins with a vivid example on October 28th, 2006, when a Vans RV-6 experienced a loss of engine power at a crucial moment during climb out from Turlock Municipal Airport in California. The pilot’s immediate response was to initiate a turn back toward the runway. However, during this maneuver, the airplane stalled, and the pilot valiantly attempted to recover. Unfortunately, the airplane entered a secondary stall, descended rapidly, and collided with the ground, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and a passenger.
A low altitude power loss is a time-critical emergency, especially on departure. Without a well-planned emergency landing point, the surprise of engine failure can leave a pilot with limited options. The initial reaction might be to return to the runway, which may be acceptable in some circumstances, but more often than not, landing straight ahead is the safest course of action.
There’s a lot that goes into the “impossible turn,” and understanding the aerodynamics behind it is crucial. As a plane rolls into a turn, its vertical lift decreases while the horizontal lift increases. To maintain a constant altitude, the pilot needs to increase total lift by increasing the angle of attack (AOA). This can be achieved by applying back pressure on the elevator. However, during an engine failure, there is a fundamental problem that hinders this process. If the engine loses power, there is not enough thrust to maintain level altitude and constant airspeed during a turn. Additionally, on propeller-driven airplanes, the lack of prop-wash airflow reduces lift further. Once the plane slows to its best glide speed, it begins to descend in the turn, and the descent can be rapid.
Returning to the runway presents several hazards. Firstly, the pilot may have taken off into a headwind, and upon attempting a return, they now face a tailwind, which increases the groundspeed and reduces the margin for error in a safe approach and landing. Secondly, during the turn, there is a risk of the airplane contacting the ground in a bank, potentially leading to a cartwheeling disaster. Thirdly, the increasing groundspeed due to the tailwind can cause the plane to prematurely slow below stall speed, leaving the pilot with no option but to face a difficult situation. The FAA advises that rather than returning to the runway, it is safer to immediately establish the proper glide attitude and select a field directly ahead or slightly to the side of the takeoff path.
Practice truly makes perfect when it comes to aviation. The FAA recommends that pilots experiment with their airplanes to determine a practical decision height for takeoff. By reducing power to idle, performing a 180-degree turn to a simulated runway, and observing how much altitude is lost, pilots can gain valuable insights into their capabilities and make informed decisions. However, simply being able to execute a 180-degree turn does not guarantee that the departure runway can be reached in a power-off glide. Wind conditions, the distance traveled during climb, the altitude above the ground, and the glide distance are all critical factors that need to be considered. Additionally, the turn back to the departure runway requires a more significant change in direction than a simple 180-degree turn.
The FAA provides a thought-provoking example. Consider an airplane that has taken off and climbed to an altitude of 300 feet above ground level (AGL) when the engine fails. After a typical reaction time of 4 seconds, the pilot decides to turn back to the runway. Using a standard rate turn, it takes 1 minute to complete a 180-degree turn. At a glide speed of 65 knots, the radius of the turn is 2,100 feet, so at the end of the turn, the airplane is 4,200 feet to one side of the runway. The pilot then needs to turn another 45 degrees to head toward the runway. By this time, the total change in direction is 225 degrees, taking 75 seconds plus the 4-second reaction time. If the airplane in a power-off glide descends at approximately 1,000 feet per minute, it has descended 1,316 feet, placing it 1,016 feet below the runway.
During takeoff briefings, pilots should have a decision altitude for engine failures and a plan for when to consider a return to the airport. The inclusion of a go/no-go point for the “impossible turn” is essential. If there is no specific number in mind regarding altitude loss in a turn, it is often wiser to choose a landing point ahead rather than the runway behind. Wind, altitude, aircraft performance, glide distance, and personal comfort should all be taken into account when making this decision.
The human factor is a significant aspect often overlooked in briefings. It is difficult to predict how a pilot will react in a serious low-altitude emergency, and their response may not be immediate. There may be a period of time spent processing the emergency and even attempting troubleshooting. However, even a few seconds of delay can result in the loss of precious altitude. When briefing an emergency, pilots should give themselves the extra buffer time they may need in case something goes wrong, perhaps adding 300 to 500 feet to the takeoff decision height.
Have you ever practiced high-altitude power-off landings? How do you brief your takeoff decision point? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
In the world of aviation, every decision counts, and the ability to make the right choices in the face of emergencies is what separates the skilled pilots from the rest. By understanding the intricacies of aerodynamics, being prepared, and having a well-thought-out plan, pilots can increase their chances of a safe outcome in even the most challenging situations. So, the next time you take to the skies, remember to consider all the factors and be ready to act with confidence and precision.
