how would you handle this situation

[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?

 

[CUEBOAT]

you, the pilot, still has to fill out the paperwork!
[/B]

Paper work? what paperwork? The tower nor did the Feds even call the school. I called the tower and left a message and they never even called me back. Another instructor that I work with had a bird strike a few months ago , declared an emergency and landed. Never did any paperwork either. So to all you pilots fearing a stack of forms waist high, forget it. Its not that bad

 

[Pipeliner606]

Publishers:

I never said the situations were the same. The point I was trying to make is, anyone who thinks it is a sign of weekness, or a "sissy" move to declare an emergency, is an idiot. True, that pilot's declaring an emergency might not have made a difference, then a gain, maybe it could have. It could have made him take a closer look at his situation, and take things a bit more seriously, instead of pudding on along like there was no problem. I dont care what anyone says, regardless of how it happens, if you lose half your total thrust, you are in an emergency situation. Swallow your foolish pride and declare, just in case. Can you honestly say that with all 100% certainty that your remaining engine will stay running? Training or not, if you cant restart that engine you just shut down, it IS now a real engine failure. As far as not declaring an emergency because it is a "controlled situation" as you put it, control is an illusion. You cannot control ALL the variables. Why not get a few more of those variables in your favor, just in case?

 

[efiscompmon]

I have declared due to equipment or pax problem 7 times now. With the exception of (airline) required paperwork, I have never had to send paper to the FAA. I have never been visited by an ASI. Never asked to speak with the Chief Pilot. Nothing.

Don't believe that cr@p about every fed being out to get you--declare, get help, move on. It's only a problem if YOU did something that caused the emergency to come into being.

Besides, gotta be alive to get violated. Given that choice....

 

[Maria]

Beg to Differ

Declare the emergency, if they ask if you want the equipment, say "YES!"

The dumbest feeling in the world is when on short final, one feathered, you said "no" to the equipment, and now the gear won't come down, then only the mains are down and locked.

What was a controlled situation rapidly became uncontrolled, and my only thought was of the rescue crews still playing cards in their station. Then it was touchdown and touchdown, and two nosewheel doors ground off.

ATC rolled the trucks anyway when they saw the missing nosewheel, but I would really rather have had AFRCC waiting nearby than sitting a mile away. There are so many "what ifs" including what if it was a main that didn't extend and we'd cartwheeled? What if...

Luckily God protects us fools and all we replaced were the doors, linkages, and the oil line that failed and caused our engine shutdown. We'd caught the rise in oil temps before the engine was damaged, saving about $35K and the paperwork that goes with an accident, instead, we only did paperwork for an incident.