Not all the aircraft or systems incidents I have had are engine related. I have had three partial engine failures, an electrical fire, and a blocked pitot, but never had a total engine failure. Yet.
The first partial engine failure occured during solo circuits as a student. The first indication something was wrong were streaks of light brown fluid over the windshield that quickly turned into a stream of darker oil. As I was in the circuit it was just a matter of declaring a panpan and making a shorter approach than normal. Perhaps the biggest effect (not counting the obvious oil temperature rise) was limited visibility out front. Didnt really think too much of it at the time, just got on with flying the aeroplane.
The cause of the second was a failed magneto in flight which refused (understandable) to provide spark. Not a major, as again I was in the circuit and was able to make a short approach to land, but it gives you food for thought afterwards, and it sure ran rough.
Number three occured on the ground, and was the last incident or emergency involving equipment that I have had. A mixture cable snapped and the engine ran rough. Not a true emergency as it occured on the ground, however with the cable snapped and the mixture full or over-rich, the engine wouldnt shut down without the key OFF and the throttle plunged in to drown it.
I suffered a small electrical fire, this time away from an airfield. Smell of smoke and the scent of burning electrics told me what was happening, and it was quickly eliminated by turning off the masters and using a cellphone to advise traffic that we were NORDO and had a problem. Again, I just got on with flying the aeroplane. Reference was made to the flight manual. A pitot blockage was caused by a bumble bee that flew straight into the head at about 40 knots. Thinking the airspeed was too low for thfull power and such a low nose attitude, I quickly cottoned on that all was not well. This was a week before the oil leak.
Dealing with it was simply a case of looking outside, going by noise and feel, and knowing that if the RPM was set then the attitude outside meant I should be doing about the right speed. Again, flying the aeroplane as I had been taught.
Statistics tell us (I know they can twist stats to suit the point they're trying to make) that the more you fly the more likely you are of encountering an engine failure or an inflight emergency of some sort. I know of a 23,000 light aircraft pilot who has never had an engine failure. I also know of one 2,000 hour pilot who has had three total failures. The point is it can and probably will, happen to you, regardless if you fly regularly or not that often. I havent had an emergency or aircraft system failure in the 1,000-odd hours since my mixture incident, so I'm always expecting it to happen. And staying current with emergency procedures.
Stay safe.
Kerms
PS: FFF, can you please email me your contact details as I have a magazine for you. Ta.
