Taming the Twin: Engine Failure During Takeoff

Whether you’re new to multiengine flying or multiengine rated but rusty, become a better, safer pilot with the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Taming the Twin video series. These videos, in collaboration with Sporty’s, cover the fundamentals that are key to mastering multiengine flying.

Planning a multiengine takeoff involves consulting single-engine performance charts to prepare for and respond to an engine failing on takeoff. This video reviews critical preflight calculation considerations—such as accelerate-stop distance and climb performance with one engine inoperative—and a typical multiengine takeoff briefing.

3. Engine Failure During Takeoff (this video)

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[Rosstafari]

Really good video.

Multiengine students who are working towards the airlines: a lot of what you’re seeing here - accelerate-stop calculations, detailed departure briefings, alternate airports for single engine operations - are versions of the procedures done at most carriers.

If you get this stuff tuned in now, it’ll make your future training and career that much easier. Start building the habits and knowledge base now.

[nathanwildthorn]

Thank you for posting this. It's a great reminder for those of us who haven't practiced the twin engined engine-out drills for a while.

[Saml]

Planning routes around single engine service ceiling is a very valuable tip.

[igclapp]

10:50 This is the most perfect engine failure "mantra" I've ever heard. Absolutely, directional control is #1, quickly followed by pitch for blue line. I would just add that when you're close to the ground, check that you are at blue line every three seconds. Speed can bleed off amazingly quickly as you get distracted by other tasks and it's hard to get it back at low altitude.

[emodevil]

Great video, ive something to discuss .
At min 8:45 you mention that you should ( work through emergency checklist)
Ive been to few flight schools as an instructor and currently flying a DHC6, i was never taught to do a checklist before safe height, our many focus in this critical phase relies on flying the aircraft and doing vital actions ( memorized) eg, retracting flaps in some cases and reaching a safe height (400 ft AGL) and proceed with the emergency checklist

[The_Flying_Mechanic]

I’ve been doing some short videos like this on Instagram lately! Absolutely thrilled to see the focus on making aviation safe from money making companies like Sporty’s!

[Veritas]

I more or less skipped the multi-engine piston phase of my career going from instructing in Skyhawks to flying King Air 90’s, then into very light jets (Citation Mustang & CJs). I just got a new job that has a new to me jet (Hawker 750) and a BE58 Baron. The Baron has been more difficult airplane to transition into just from a previous experience standpoint and generally speaking engine failures are practically non-events in a jet.

[CapFreddy]

Remember that manual data is only a reference, if you fly the same airplane all the time it might be useful to check some flying characteristics in real life with proper safety measures (safe altitude).

[flemmingstelling]

Great video - I would, though, emphasize the importance of doing all turns into the “good” engine. If this means breaking a standard left hand pattern (if left engine lost) so be it.

[DanFrederiksen]

with very light composite birds with small jets instead of pistons it might be possible to have much higher thrust to weight ratio which should make better use of runway length. Strong glide ratio is also very empowering.

[marcoquiros]

At 9:30 min I can see that both engines seems like rotating outward (it could be camera effect also). Does that mean that both are critical engines? 🤔

[publicmail]

The steps you need to take must be engrained. Multi engine 1 engine failure can be much more dangerous if not handled properly vs loosing single engine airplane. A single engine airplane won't snap roll on it's back unless you stall spin uncoordinated. Dead foot, dead engine, raise the dead, Vmc.

[scottw]

I could be wrong but I doubt there are any piston twins where accelerate and go is an option.

[mikearakelian]

Most applicable to smalllite twins...larger twins requirements will be different; max pwwr will already be set; so it's just a matter of raising gear; not flaps, and complet e chk list items fly the plane told card.all failure decisions were already made prior to takeoff, Stick to plan!performance Wil always be less than charts show...

[DumbledoreMcCracken]

I wish to fly a twin because it is more dangerous. Hard to be complacent when juggling sharp knives.

[fowler]

I always assumed the offical performances figures in the POH would reflect your average Joe pilot and not your super sharp extra-human capable test pilot.

[dhouse-dl]

The mindset needs to change. At TO in a twin ur gonna loose an engine.. every time. get that ingrained. At every TO ur gonna loose an engine.

[kevinheard]

I am not a pilot; but, "PULL FORWARD"!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[Triple_J.]

There is no reason to purchase rent or otherwise operate a twin engine airplane.

It is false pretense of safety to want a second engine.

These aren't helicopters. Airplanes don't fly on engines.

When you double the number of engines you double the chance of engine failure. And make an engine failure from a moderate emergency that is handled as such. Into a real catastrophe that is not perceived to be an emergency. In an airplane that cant fly or handle properly with only one engine.

Even if you are over open ocean en route to Bermuda 500 miles away. When your engine fails you have to run the remaining engine at maximum power. Burning far worse fuel consumption per brake horsepower. While side-slipping. With rudder and ailerons deflected. And a propeller feathered. Al of this drag and mediocre performance and poor lift over drag means you'll run out of gas anyway.