Emergencies and Abnormal Situations
- Episode: 23
- Version: 0.1.2
In this episode
- Follow an engine problem from the first abnormal indication to an early precautionary diversion.
- If power is lost, compare available altitude, wind, terrain, and obstacles with an attainable landing area.
- Make a useful urgency or distress call, use the installed emergency equipment, and keep the airplane's approved checklist in the decision.
- Compare an electrical failure and a smoke case as separate examples of how the priority and time available can change.
The spoken lesson uses a fictional daytime VFR flight in a single-engine trainer. The airplane's own current AFM or POH gives the speeds, limitations, configuration, and checklist sequence for an actual flight.
Study materials and visual aids
- The Airplane Flying Handbook guidance on gliding explains why best glide and minimum sink answer different questions.
- The Airplane Flying Handbook emergency landing discussion covers terrain, obstacles, configuration, and control near touchdown.
Fact-check and source material
| Topic | Source type | Authoritative source | Locator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency descent ACS task | FAA standard | Emergency descent ACS task | PA.IX.A.K1-K4, R1-R4, S1-S8, printed p. 51 (PDF p. 59) |
| Emergency approach and landing ACS task | FAA standard | Emergency approach and landing ACS task | PA.IX.B.K1-K6, R1-R6, S1-S6, printed p. 52 (PDF p. 60) |
| Systems and equipment malfunctions ACS task | FAA standard | Systems and equipment malfunctions ACS task | PA.IX.C.K1-K5, R1-R4, S1-S2, printed p. 53 (PDF p. 61) |
| Emergency equipment and survival ACS task | FAA standard | Emergency equipment and survival ACS task | PA.IX.D.K2-K5, R1-R3, S1-S3, printed p. 54 (PDF p. 62) |
| Manufacturer procedure boundary and landing types | FAA guidance | Manufacturer procedure boundary and landing types | Chapter 18, Introduction and Types of Emergency Landings, printed p. 18-1 (PDF p. 1) |
| Best glide and minimum sink | FAA guidance | Best glide and minimum sink | Chapter 3, Glides, best glide and minimum sink, printed p. 3-23 (PDF p. 23) |
| Selecting terrain and controlling an emergency approach | FAA guidance | Selecting terrain and controlling an emergency approach | Chapter 18, Terrain Selection, Airplane Configuration, and Approach, printed p. 18-4 (PDF p. 4) |
| Emergency descent concepts and limits | FAA guidance | Emergency descent concepts and limits | Chapter 18, Emergency Descents, printed p. 18-8 (PDF p. 8) |
| Electrical system malfunction | FAA guidance | Electrical system malfunction | Chapter 18, System Malfunctions, Electrical System, printed p. 18-13 (PDF p. 13) |
| Abnormal engine indication | FAA guidance | Abnormal engine indication | Chapter 18, Abnormal Engine Instrument Indication, printed p. 18-16 (PDF p. 16) |
| Ask for emergency assistance early | FAA guidance | Ask for emergency assistance early | AIM 6-1-2, Emergency Condition—Request Assistance Immediately |
| Distress and urgency radio calls | FAA guidance | Distress and urgency radio calls | AIM 6-3-1, Distress and Urgency Communications; 6-3-2(a)(3), message elements |
| Emergency transponder use | FAA guidance | Emergency transponder use | AIM 6-3-2(a)(2), transponder action |
| Emergency locator transmitter | FAA guidance | Emergency locator transmitter | AIM 6-2-4, subparagraph 1(5)-(7) |
| PIC emergency authority | Regulation | PIC emergency authority | 91.3(a)-(c) |
Correction status
Corrections and source updates are captured in a revised episode package before it is published. Submit a source correction through the repository issue form or email [email protected]. Do not send credentials, private documents, or personal flight information.