SCENARIO STUDY
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← Back 🔥 Engine Failures & Fire ★★★☆☆ Intermediate
Engine Failure in Cruise – Drift Down

🛫 Scenario Setup

FL380, both engines operating. Left engine fails (flameout, not fire). Night, over mountainous terrain. MEA 14,000 ft on current airway.

💥 Failure Injection

Engine 1 N1/N2 decay to zero. No fire indication. EICAS ENGINE FAIL.

📋 Required Actions (Sequence)

  1. Memory items: identify failed engine on EICAS
  2. Thrust lever IDLE on failed engine
  3. Restart attempt if conditions met (altitude, temperature, N2 minimum)
  4. If restart fails: maintain single engine cruise at single engine ceiling
  5. Drift down procedure: best drift down speed for single engine ceiling
  6. Consult single engine drift down chart for weight and altitude
  7. Select new cruise altitude above MEA/terrain clearance
  8. Notify ATC: PAN or MAYDAY; request priority and altitude
  9. Divert plan: nearest suitable airport with ILS

✅ Evaluation Points

  • Restart attempt evaluated per QRH criteria
  • Drift down speed maintained
  • Terrain clearance considered in new altitude selection
  • ATC informed promptly

❌ Common Errors (UNSAT)

  • Not attempting restart when criteria are met
  • Descending below MEA/MORA before reaching single engine ceiling
  • Forgetting to notify ATC

🎓 What the Instructor / Examiner Watches For

TIMING STANDARDS
  • O2 masks: within 10 seconds
  • Memory items: within 30 seconds
  • ATC notification: within 60 seconds
AUTOMATIC UNSATISFACTORY
  • Wrong engine shut down
  • Fire handle not pulled
  • RTO above V1 (no incapacitation)
  • Speed below V2 >5 sec