If a plane's engines shut down in the air, it will not simply plummet from the sky; instead, it will glide. A passenger aircraft is designed to glide, even if all engines fail.
Gliding Capabilities
The key takeaway is that airplanes are designed to glide. This means they can continue flying without engine power for a significant distance.
Factors Affecting Glide Distance
Several factors influence how far a plane can glide after losing engine power:
- Altitude: Higher altitude provides more potential energy to convert into distance. The reference mentions that a plane losing its engines at a typical cruise altitude of 36,000 ft can fly for around 60 miles.
- Aircraft Design: The aerodynamic properties of the aircraft affect its glide ratio (distance traveled forward for every unit of altitude lost).
- Wind Conditions: Headwinds reduce glide distance, while tailwinds increase it.
- Pilot Skill: Experienced pilots can optimize the glide path to maximize distance and find suitable landing spots.
What the Pilot Would Do
In the event of engine failure, pilots are trained to follow specific procedures:
- Maintain Control: The primary goal is to maintain control of the aircraft.
- Troubleshooting: Attempt to restart the engines.
- Mayday Call: Declare an emergency to air traffic control, providing their location and situation.
- Find a Landing Spot: Identify a suitable landing location, such as an airport, a large field, or even a road if necessary.
- Glide and Prepare for Landing: Adjust the aircraft's glide path to reach the chosen landing spot.
- Emergency Landing: Execute an emergency landing, which may involve specialized techniques depending on the circumstances.
Example Scenario
Imagine a commercial airliner cruising at 36,000 feet. If all engines suddenly fail, the aircraft doesn't instantly fall. Based on the provided reference, it could glide for approximately 60 miles, giving the pilots time to troubleshoot, communicate with air traffic control, and find a suitable place to land.
