My phraseology of "near EFATO" is based on my hazy understanding of the acronym meaning Engine Failure
At Takeoff instead of
AFTER takeoff. My 69-year-old brain cells seem to enjoy playing clever tricks on me! I was attempting to convey the fact that this flight had sufficient power post-rotation to climb to an altitude where the pilot thought he could return to the active runway. I do not know at what altitude he lost power, nor do I know whether or not the failure was complete or partial. I suppose EFATO is like pregnant. You is or you ain't - no in between! Thanks for bringing my nomenclature Charlie Foxtrot to my attention.
- Ed
p.s. Link to more recent story. Apparently the engine failure was total and occurred almost immediately after takeoff. The witness has an amusing lack of command of the Queen's English.
Grumman AA1-B Accident