Engine Failure at 1300ft AGL, Morningstar ZA, Pioneer 300

This was a very real emergency and a fantastic opportunity for me to review my own level of training. I made many mistakes but we landed safely with no injuries or damage to the plane, and that is ultimately the objective in any emergency.
Aviate, Navigate and Communicate (ANC).
I welcome any feedback!

The problem turned out to be that the main jet in the left carburettor was blocked, which is why I lost cylinders 2 & 4.

00:00 Intro
01:15 Happy flying
03:10 Engine Failed
06:00 Landing

[wolfi_m]

You do not have to apologize for not communtcating well with the tower. The priority in an emergency is 1: aviate 2: navigate and then 3: communicate... Well done!

[MrLangobard]

''A propeller is actually just a big fan to keep the pilot cool...
when it stops you can watch the pilot start sweating. ''

Nicely handled Sir!

[sonnyburnett]

The way she looked at him when he called mayday. God bless her, he did a great job and all the other pilots were so helpful.

[gdj]

"Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion. You sink to the level of your training"
Awesome. Very true.

[MarkJones-mmbr]

I really felt for your sister when I heard the moans escaping from her. She must have been terrified but was holding back her fear due to not wanting to interfere with your ability to fly the plane. And you staying calm and telling her everything was OK was so important to fly the plane and reassure your sister. Both of you were very brave.

[zarkplaysgames]

You did fine. Don't apologize. Also, MAJOR kudos to your passenger for not just screaming wildly. She did a PHENOMONEL job, just staying quiet and letting you focus. Major kudos to her.

[MrGaryweirich]

Before I received my private pilot license, I was coming back from a practice area, about 2-3 miles from the runway, on a straight-in final approach. That is when an oil line broke and oil was all over the windshield. I looked at the oil pressure and it went to zero. I knew I couldn't keep the engine running so I shut it down and started calling Mayday on the tower radiofrequency. I kept it at the best operational speed and set it down right at the end of the runway and coasted to a stop. Several people had come out to the runway and helped me push the Cessna 150 back to the tie-down space. This was at North Perry Airport in Hollywood, Florida. It is amazing how quiet the aircraft becomes when the engine is no longer running. I got my private shortly after that. That was in the early 70s.

[theflyabetic]

As a new pilot I learned a ton from this video. Thank you for posting - it allows all of us pilots the chance to learn more. Excellent execution and calm under pressure. You should be so proud. You're a fantastic aviator. Glad you are safe!!

[daveoatway]

I was on a solo cross county flight in Kansas from Fort Riley KS be for I got my ticket. I lost engine of my 152 at 7, 000 feet in the middle of cropland 150 miles from base. Fortunately I saw a crop duster strip to the side.. I glided to the strip and never was happier to feel the wheels tough down! The strip was very narrow - my wings were over corn stalks!. The pilot and ground crew from the commercial operation were gracias and towed me to their apron. Their mechanic found the issue (clogged fuel filter) and was able to get me back in the air. The airplane was a flying club plane. I am thankful that I was able to get it back to the fort in one piece! I am also glad that my instructor always emphasized situational awareness! As a soldier I was second nature on the ground, More valuable in the air!

[THEKITPLUG]

He even managed to keep the passenger calm. Amazing job all the way around.

[Norentis]

No need to apologize, you stayed calm mate. That shows great skills. You landed safe and kept your passenger safe. Respect mate.

[boronat]

6:15, the joy on his face when he realized he was going to complete the task is priceless

[privatepilot]

She’s got a brother to be proud of! Handled it very well! Kudos!

[TGabrielTPOI]

That level of calmness comes with knowledge and confidence. Perfectly executed.

[unclelar]

Well done! I lost an engine in my Cessna 172 a few years ago, was able to land, dead stick, on a dirt road. Threw a piston rod, and broke a cylinder loose; oil on the windscreen. Not my best landing. Largest adrenalin dump of my life, lol. I had a lot more altitude (4000 agl) to play with than you did. Thanks for posting.

[ThePippin]

Aviate, navigate, communicate. In that order. You did everything you should have done! Well done.

[racketyjack]

I gotta tell ya, you may have missed a few minor details, but you got both of you on the ground safely. Your preflight with your sister helped her too Im sure. And while you were trying to fly the plane, you still remembered to encourage her too. I'd say damn fine job my friend.

[GG-bvoj]

I don’t care about any mistakes you made. I like how you acted calmly and professionally. And prioritised keeping the plane airworthy and your passenger calm. Well done sir

[MOAB-UT]

Real pilots post their mistakes. Good job and nice flying all the way down.

[gweminence]

So...Mayday call, emergency situation, task saturation, Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, and you were still calm enough to reassure your scared sister that everything was going to be okay. Man, I don't know how you ever get off the ground with balls that big. Salute.