Originally Posted by
Captain Smithy
"Engine failures happen, it is
ALMOST ALWAYS the fault of the pilot"
Oh well then, that's it settled, no need for the AAIB then. May as well hang 'em now.
I suggest you go and read all the existing AAIB reports, as well as those from the Aviation Accident Boards of the USA, Canada, and Australia. You will find a discouraging large number of references to "fuel exhaustion", "fuel mismanagement", "fuel contamination" and "carburator icing".
While we like to think that, God Forbid, and the engine failed it will be a totally unpreventable mechanical failure and we will then conduct a perfectly flown forced approach into a field only chosen after assessing the soil type, crop composition and the species of the farm animals, just like we were taught is the "right" way to deal with an "engine failure".
Sadly the accident statistics paint a rather less rosy picture which describe many preventable accidents. My point is not to point fingers, but rather to suggest that we should collectively pay attention to where we as a group are screwing up and ask ourselves if there are ways we could improve out flying practices in order to reduce the risk of a mistake resulting in a bad out come.
One of my biggest problems with how "engine failures" are taught is that the exercise always starts with a total loss of power. I think the words "engine failure" should be banished from flight training and instead we should talk about " engine power emergencies " This could involve anything from a small loss of power to a total failure. In my training I emphasize the importance of knowing what approximate RPM (or MP) is required to maintain level flight. In the event of a power loss the first decision is to ask "do I have enough power to maintain altitude". If I do then I have more options than if I do not, in which case I will be
forced to land.
In some respects the total power loss situation is easier to deal with then a partial loss as the situation is less ambiguous then when you have some but not enough power. Unfortunately these kinds of scenarios are hardly ever covered in flight training.......