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Old 23rd November 2005 | 09:30
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Romeo Romeo
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 157
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From: Leicestershire
My plan for an engine failure during night flight is to point into wind, stay in control slowing to just above the stall speed as I approach the ground - probably with only 10 degrees of flap to make the descent rate as slow as I can. Probably aiming for somewhere dark unless there is an obviously well lit landing area and with the landing lights on so I have a chance of manoeuvring and flaring as I reached the ground.

If there's a 10 knot wind, I should arrive on the ground in control with a ground speed of only about 35 knots and as long as I didn't hit anything solid head-on immediately, I'd fancy my chances.

People seem to concentrate on engine failures but I would imagine that CFIT and loss of control are more of a danger at night. Has any analysis of the accident statistics been carried out in this area?
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