if u experience an engine failure in a single engine aircraft...........if not feather the propeller, what do you need to do and why?
Low altitude (below 500 feet above ground - during take off, initial climb or landing):
Lower nose pitch to avoid losing airspeed, land straight ahead if possible, or make
slight turn left or right if needed to avoid obstructions. Large turns reduce lift and will cost you altitude or speed.
Fuel control to "cut-off." Turn off ignition. (post-landing/impact fire prevention)
Lower flaps once committed to a landing point - it allows a slower touchdown speed.
Unlatch doors before touchdown - in case the landing forces jam the doors and prevent escape
In cruise:
A. Maintain altitude while slowing to the published "best glide speed" for the particular aircraft. (Usually about equal to best climb-rate speed (Vy) but not always. Something you should have memorized before flying any aircraft as pilot in command). "Best glide speed" will give the longest glide distance.
B. Look at the ground and choose a suitable landing area within glide range. Plan how to reach that landing area. Do this BEFORE attempting an engine restart (below) to maximize terrain visibility and landing choices.
C. Run through the engine re-start checklist. Which also should be memorized - varies with aircraft - but generically:
Fuel selector to "both" tanks, or opposite tank - in case it is just one empty tank or a fuel-pipe blockage
primer lever in and locked (if installed) - in case the primer has come unlocked and interrupted fuel flow.
Fuel boost pump on (if installed) - increases fuel pressure to engine, in case the engine's own internal fuel pump has failed
magnetos/ignition - cycle through settings (right - left - right - both) - in case one magneto has failed
fuel mixture to full rich - to ensure maximum fuel flow
carburetor heat "ON" - in case the engine failure is due to carburetor icing blocking the engine air/fuel intake.
(If memorized, all of the above should take about 5-10 seconds)
This is a key place where the unfeathered, windmilling prop is actually a
plus - if your checklist has solved a problem such as an empty/blocked fuel tank or failed magneto, the spinning prop may crank the engine back to life.
Otherwise - engage starter.
If engine failure is clearly catastrophic (oil covering the windscreen, or engine sounds signaled a major breakage) - the restart checklist can be skipped. Focus attention on a safe forced landing.
D. If restart fails, follow plan to glide to chosen landing area. Once below 500 feet, proceed as above with the low-altitude engine-out procedure.
Again - all of the above is a generic summation for handling a engine failure in a single-engine fixed-wing aircraft. Before flying any aircraft - READ THE MANUFACTURER'S MANUAL and
know the specific procedures for THAT airplane...!