Engine Inoperative Speeds and Detecting a Dead Engine

The emergency checklist opens with the airspeeds that matter when an engine quits, and with the signs that one has.

At a glance

• One engine inoperative air minimum control66 KIAS
• One engine inoperative best rate of climb92 KIAS
• One engine inoperative best angle of climb78 KIAS
• Maneuvering (checklist)136 KIAS
• Never exceed205 KIAS

Airspeeds for safe operation

The one engine inoperative air minimum control speed is 66 KIAS under standard conditions. The checklist also lists one engine inoperative best rate of climb at 92 KIAS, best angle of climb at 78 KIAS, maneuvering at 136 KIAS and never exceed at 205 KIAS.

The checklist's maneuvering speed matches the panel placard; the airspeed limitations table gives 135 KIAS at 4407 lb.

NOTE — Reduce the power on the operating engine when it is safe to do so.

Detecting a dead engine

• Loss of thrust.

• Yaw — with coordinated controls, the nose yaws in the direction of the dead engine.

Check yourself

• What are the one engine inoperative air minimum control, best rate of climb and best angle of climb speeds?

• Which maneuvering speed does the checklist give, and how does it compare with the limitations table?

• What two signs identify a dead engine?

• Which way does the nose yaw when an engine fails?

Study aid — always fly your aircraft's current AFM/POH.