“What will happen if an engine were to fail during take-off?” As a child, this thought would linger in my mind every time I boarded a plane. Now, as an aviation content creator, I’ve acquired extensive knowledge about flight and aircraft thanks to my avid interest in aviation, the so-called avgeek in me. One aspect I’ve learned about involves the protocols for an engine failure during takeoff, which I’m eager to share with you now.
Your pilots are thoroughly trained to manage such circumstances. They undertake extensive training sessions in flight simulators, rehearsing a multitude of potential in-flight scenarios including engine fires, bird strikes, and engine failures, among others. The frequency of these pilot simulation checks varies depending on the regulations of the country and airline, occurring bi-yearly or yearly. Furthermore, the aircraft is equipped with backup systems enhancing the safety of flight operations. Therefore, if such an incident arises, it’s crucial to stay calm and heed the instructions of the cabin crew.
Understanding Takeoff Speed
Before we talk about the scenario of an engine failure during takeoff, it’s important to understand the three fundamental speeds involved in the process. V1, Vr, and V2 are these critical speeds that assist pilots in their decision-making process, regardless if they’re operating a compact twin-engine Piper Aztec or a massive Airbus A350.
V1, also known as the takeoff decision speed, signals the point at which the pilot decides to either abort the takeoff or continue even if an engine fails. A takeoff has to be discontinued below V1 but should not be terminated once V1 has been passed. When Vr, the speed at which the pilot starts to raise the nose of the aircraft, is reached, the lifting of the main gear or liftoff takes place. Finally, V2 is the safe speed for the aircraft to climb with one engine not functioning.
Determining V1
V1 is not a random figure; it’s meticulously calculated based on two key factors – the Accelerate Stop and Accelerate Go distances. The former represents the total runway length needed to bring the aircraft to a halt following an engine failure after reaching a certain speed. The latter is the total distance needed for the aircraft to continue takeoff and ascend to 50 feet in the event of engine failure after gaining a certain speed.
Several parameters like the aircraft’s speed, weight, environmental conditions, and more are used to derive these distances. This crucial information can be relayed to the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) or calculated using paper charts and the Flight Management System (FMS).
To Fly or Not to Fly
When an engine fails before V1, the pilot’s immediate response is to abort the takeoff and halt the aircraft using all available resources. However, the reverse thrust is not included in these calculations because if an engine has failed, one of the reversers will be non-functional.
Various factors such as runway length, aircraft weight, wing flaps setting, runway surface condition, engine thrust, environmental variables, and even the condition of the aircraft’s brakes are considered when determining V1. This ensures that if an engine fails before reaching V1, there is enough remaining runway to bring the aircraft to a complete stop.
If a significant issue occurs after reaching V1, the pilot is committed to the takeoff. Any attempt to abort the takeoff after passing V1 may lead to a runway overrun and severe damage to the aircraft.
Next Steps
In the event of an engine failure, the pilot maintains the V2 speed to ensure the aircraft clears the runway at a screen height of 35 feet or higher. The pilot then maintains the climb rate at V2 until reaching the “one engine out acceleration altitude.” Once reached, the aircraft speed is increased, and the slats and flaps are retracted while emergency procedures continue.
Airplanes are designed with contingencies for all conceivable scenarios, even an engine failure during takeoff. Pilots are also extensively trained to manage such events. While the concept can be unsettling, it’s comforting to know that there are carefully crafted procedures to navigate these situations. Regardless of the situation, rest assured that air travel is recognized as the safest form of transportation today due to the comprehensive safety systems and protocols in place to handle circumstances such as an engine fails during takeoff, bird strikes, and much more.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
