The Impossible Turn - Aviation Video #35

During flight training you should be taught to brief every takeoff before you go. Good flight planning suggests that you should have a plan of action for emergencies that might come up in flight, particularly during takeoff and the departure phase. In this aviation video we discuss the ‘impossible’ turn; that is turning back to the runway in the event of an engine failure on take off. When you should and when you should not consider executing this controversial maneuver.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 180
• degree
• emergencies
• engine
• failures
• finer
• flight
• jason
• line
• miller
• on
• planning
• points
• takeoff
• the
• training
• turn

[riDDDiculous]

I guess 6 people would turn back without thinking... good luck!

[Bravo21]

The reality is tho, it is Not 180 Deg. back to the Runway, its more like 210...downwind.

Do not worry about money or the aircraft; worry about life. As soon as the engine failed, the Insurance Co. owned the aircraft so just put it down safely wherever you can, so you and your passengers can walk away.

[germb747]

@mtoonsdale I think it's all in how you approach it if you fly a twin. If you're going to load your airplane to the max and operate out of high altitude airports, you have to know the second engine will only fly you to the scene of the accident. On the other hand, if you practice single ops regularly, keep loads light, and operate at sea level, a twin can provide a safety advantage over a single. Know your performance capability.

[rumparound]

An old instrument instructor of mine (who had survived 8 after takeoff engine failures) said that he always thinks about turning back. He claims he did what basically amounted to a split s in a citabria at about 800ft and make it back. He is like 75 so maybe his memory is a little off but I wonder how much altitude, if done properly, is lost in a split s? I wonder if this is even possible?

[DanTCerone]

@Learjet31Pilot ROFL! I have a better idea. You call us back when you reach the maturity level necessary to pilot an airplane in a responsible manner. Based on what you write, that will be a LONG, LONG time from now. In the meantime, feel free to continue acting and writing as a child.

[Leticoz]

what about traffic? you cant expect to turn around and be sure that the runway is clear.. for all you know there might be an aircraft being towed on the runway

[AVMamfortas]

Excellent. I will give that a go on my Flt Sim.

[kozmon0t]

@Learjet31Pilot It's better if the turn doesn't fail 100% of the time and the terrain would kill you 100% of the time

anyhow it's a joke, unless there really are airports in vast fields of giant boulders

[Learjet31Pilot]

@kozmon0t - a stall/spin accident during a failed 180 degree return to the runway is almost universally fatal. How is that any better?

[Learjet31Pilot]

@DanTCerone - way to be an arrogant douchebag. Call us back when you actually have something relevant to add to the discussion.