how would you handle this situation

[Rick1128]

While there is no requirement anywhere in the PTS or regs that requires a full shut down of an engine during training, personally, I believe it is good training for the student. But it must be under controlled conditions. Lots of altitude, light aircraft and CLOSE to the airport. There are too many things that can go wrong. But I have also worked with pilots who have never seen a prop feathered before. The look on their faces is beyond priceless.

To answer the other part of the question, I would declare as you couldn't get the engine restarted. Therefore you had a 'real' engine failure.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

declare the emergency man!!!

flying around in some POS light training twin with one shut down and you are afraid to declare an emergency? Thats the start of an accident report just after the otwer has you go around at the last minute......you know what I mean?

Declare the emergency, ATC loves that $hit. Then the entire place is YOURS. No go-arounds, modified patterns, pressure...etc..

I declared once, at a field with a FSDO...they did call the FBO and ask what happened (shut down one on a cheyenne after departure, came back, landed.) gave them the quick scoop, they said thanks - good choice. Thats it.

 

[bobbysamd]

Declaring

While there is no requirement anywhere in the PTS or regs that requires a full shut down of an engine during training, personally, I believe it is good training for the student. But it must be under controlled conditions. Lots of altitude, light aircraft and CLOSE to the airport. There are too many things that can go wrong. But I have also worked with pilots who have never seen a prop feathered before. The look on their faces is beyond priceless.

To answer the other part of the question, I would declare as you couldn't get the engine restarted. Therefore you had a 'real' engine failure.

I agree with both points Rick raised, especially about shutting one down in flight. It is excellent training and an excellent confidence-builder for your multi student. It proves that one can go and you can still fly. To that end, I would indeed declare. It is an emergency anytime you lose an engine in a light twin.

 

[C40_Pilot]

I got my ATP in the duchess. Not impossible to fly around single engine. But why wouldn't you wan't priority? I've flown C-17's and now the BBJ and whenever I lose HALF of my thrust, I declare an emergency. When could you think of any better time to declare an emergency than that?!

 

[CUEBOAT]

im glad the rest of the world agrees with me. I did infact declare an emergency. I never did second guess my decision either. Got some heat from the boss man for doing it. He thought I just didnt do a good enough job of restarting it. Come to find out, maintenance found a leaky accumulator.

 

[xjcaptain]

I'm glad to hear they found a mechanical problem, but not to be the turd in the punchbowl, it IS possible to restart a piston engine that does not have a working accumulator. Many twins don't have one at all. Perhaps a little more time trying to restart would have avoided the problem in the first place.

 

[CUEBOAT]

xjcaptain I fully understand how to air restart without the accumulator. I was trying to use the starter for about 10 mins. We did actually get it running but it wouldn't exceed 400rpm. it was vibrating so badly I thought it was gonna sheer off one of the engne mounts. That would have added extra fun to the flight. Apparently when all the oil was forced into the accumulator instead of it staying in it leaked out. No oil pressure to unfeather.

 

[FSB99]

back when i was flight instructing, if i was in this situation, i may have been hesitant to declare an emergency, too, cause, i was always under the impression, that's a bad thing to do, that's inviting the feds into my logbooks, the plane's logbooks, the school's books, admitting defeat, etc. however, now, with some perspective on flying in general and the whole industry, hellyeah, declare the emergency, for all the reasons stated above, by others and yourself. good call!

also, don't forget, atc can (and will) declare an emergency FOR you... so, let's say you are landing at a controlled field, and you're pudding on in with one feathered, and try to dance around making the big E statement... if they look out with binoculars and see one shut down, or simply ask you and you say yes.. well, chances are they just might declare the emergency for you. and yes, you, the pilot, still has to fill out the paperwork!

but that aside, good job taking the situation in stride and handling it like a pro.

 

[Publishers]

point

I do not think it necessary to declare an emergency. While at a controlled field, I would let ATC know of the situation as I do not want to do a go around, but to call out the equipment is a bit much in a controlled situation.

The example given where the guy killed his family attempting a go around is not valid. Would it have made one difference in the outcome. Not unless someone could have leaped up into the aircraft and flown the missed approach for the individual.

There are different thoughts on shutting the engine all the way down. Mine is that it is OK taking into consideration other factors like weather, traffic, altitude, etc.

There is something to be said for the experience of getting it going again for real.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: point

I do not think it necessary to declare an emergency.

I would agree if and ONLY if you don't have anybody to declare one to (i.e. Class G airspace, non-tower airport, etc.). Otherwise...

A 50% power loss, no matter how it arose, is an emergency. Declare it. What could you possibly have to lose?