B737 Critical Engine
To all:
Would appreciate any insight from any who can help with this.
The "critical engine in a crosswind" scenario has been mentioned, and I have been trying to get a grasp of that concept. I have a textbook that agrees with the poster's premise, that it's better to lose the upwind engine. But I just fail to see how a wind from that side doesn't complicate things immensely. For example:
Crosswind from the left. This requires right rudder to keep the airplane tracking straight on the runway, because it wants to "weathervane" into the wind.
Now, fail the left (upwind) engine. This creates a strong yaw to the left, further increasing the need for right rudder. I'm thinking you could run out of rudder in this situation.
OK, now continuing with my logic (and please remember I ask you to point out the flaws with it): Let's say you have that same left crosswind, you're holding right rudder to keep tracking straight on the runway, and now you lose the__ right__engine. This causes a strong yaw to the right. Now in this case you're getting help (too much!) with the need to hold right rudder due to the wind. Or in other words, the wind is causing you to weathervane to the left, but the failed engine is causing you to yaw to the right. This to me is the best scenario, because the wind is actually acting __against___the failed engine (due to weathervaning).
What am I missing?
Thanks again for any thoughts.