Engine faliure on takeoff
 

Just venting/decompressing a bit.

Flying with a student today in a C-172 at the end of a long day of training, climbing out after a touch and go, engine loses power suddenly at 800' AGL and starts shaking violently. I took the controls—thank God we had enough altitude for a 180 turn back to the airport—declared an emergency and brought us in safely.

Cause still unknown.

Stranded for some time, home now, wine glass in hand, so glad my student went home safely to his family and I (and the airplane) will fly again.

It was a good day.

Don't you know, drinking and flying don't mix??????

:LOL:

Glad you are safe. Are you EVER going to buy a car?

Thank you! And yes, more irons in the fire so to speak, a very possible—not to mention well maintained and nicely equipped—ERA 427 s/o is being lusted after currently. Funny, even after checking out a number of other cars, it keeps bubbling to the top of the list.

But you know me, paralysis by analysis is my MO.

So what was the Cessna's illness that caused it to shake? At 800' that required some quick thinking.

Very dangerous attempting a 180 that low without power but I'm glad it all turned out for you. I know how nerve shattering a sudden engine stoppage can be. Check out my website on my F1 Rocket build if you want to kill a couple of hours. You might find it interesting. Pflanzer's Pflying Pfactory - F1 Rocket Project. Take care.

Nice job on the recovery, Natalie! You have returned safe for yet another glass of wine. I think that is a good measure of success!

You can't go wrong with a well sorted ERA. I hope it works out for you.

Whoa!
Glad you made it.
Did they put the wrong gas in it?

flygirl,

I had been flying in the Air Force for about fifteen years when I found myself in a two-ship formation of T-38 jet trainers. All four pilots in the two aircraft were experienced T-38 instructors like myself. We had briefed a routine formation flight that included a maneuver to separate by about a half mile followed by a turning rejoin. During the rejoin, the leader (in the other aircraft) flew a steady gentle left turn while I flew a tighter turn inside his to catch him. We briefed that rather than completing the rejoin in the customary way on the leaders left wing, I would cross behind him and rejoin on his right wing. All went as planned as I slid into position about fifteen feet from the leader's right wing. He smoothly rolled out of the turn, paused, and then rolled abruptly to his right. He was preparing to do a hard turn directly into his wingman, something you never do. I was completely surprised by his action. Before I could react, the other pilot in the leader's aircraft grabbed the stick and shoved it back to the left. If he had not reacted as quickly as he did, I have no doubt that all four of us would likely have died. .... We all breathed heavily for a few seconds before continuing the rest of the flight as briefed. In the post mission debrief, the pilot of the other aircraft acknowledged that he had just forgotten that we were on the right side.

Seeing how close I came to death that day, and knowing that I was saved by someone else's actions rather than my own, I had an entirely new appreciation of how valuable each day is. I've tried hard to retain that feeling so I never take even ordinary days for granted. If you let your engine failure experience give you a keener appreciation for how precious each day is, and for what is truly important in life, then you were more than a little lucky that day.

Thank God you shut it down before engine shook itself off the airframe. I'm sure you know if that happens you've got a magor problem.

That's why I prefer driving. I can just pull to the side of the road.

I know, we're all told not to do a 180, but we had enough altitude. Just. The alternatives were a heavily wooded area (lots of evergreen trees with thick trunks) and a flooded rice field.

I figured, even if we don't make the runway, most anywhere on the airport grounds would be better than either of those. I was aiming for the grass in pretty much any direction, but winds were calm and I was able to fly us back to the runway.

As far as why this happened, the initial thought was ignition problems, possibly a faulty mag drive (this aircraft has an engine with twin mags in the same case, driven by a single shaft). But the remote location of the airport is making slow going of maintenance and I still haven't heard the verdict.

I think what I'm most thankful for is that my student was okay. Me too, of course, but these guys are my responsibility. He texted last night with many thanks...and to ask when I'm going to get a Cobra! Said that life was too short to wait forever. And I think he's got a good point.

Me? I've felt blessed for many years—and not deserving of it—and this reinforced that belief.

Glad you and the student are safe, obviously you ae a great piiot and are very skilled, a cobra will be no big deal for you.
Keep safe and keep on having fun, Bill