Can a commercial airliner such as Airbus, Boeing continue to fly if one of the engines fails?

 How dangerous are aircraft-engine failures?

Aircraft-engine failures can pose risks to flight safety, but advancements in technology and safety measures have significantly reduced the likelihood and severity of such incidents. The danger associated with aircraft-engine failures varies depending on several factors, including the type of engine, the phase of flight during which the failure occurs, and the specific circumstances of the incident.

Jet engines, which are commonly used in commercial aviation, have fewer moving parts compared to piston engines, making them more reliable and less prone to mechanical failures. Modern jet engines are designed to withstand certain impacts, such as bird strikes, and their casings are intended to contain any debris from fan blades that may break. Despite these design features, mechanical failures can still occur in jet engines, albeit infrequently.

The in-flight shutdown rate for modern jet engines is relatively low, with some engines experiencing as few as one shutdown per million flight hours. It's important to note that this rate includes situations where an engine stops functioning due to various reasons, such as mechanical faults, external events like bird strikes or volcanic ash, or even interventions by the pilot if an engine is intentionally shut down. Therefore, the actual rate of catastrophic failures resulting in significant damage or loss of life is even lower.

In the context of small piston engines used in general aviation, engine failures are more common compared to jet engines. However, the risks associated with these failures can be managed through proper inspection, maintenance practices, and adherence to operational procedures. Pilots undergo training and practice emergency procedures, including simulated engine failures, to ensure they can handle such situations safely. Although small airplane engine failures can occur, pilots can mitigate the risks and aim for successful forced landings with minimal or no injuries and damage.

Engine failures during takeoff are particularly critical due to the aerodynamic effects and the need for immediate action to ensure safe outcomes. However, the failure rate of engines installed in current-generation aircraft is less than one per 100,000 flight hours. Multi-engine transport category jet aircraft undergo certification processes that require them to meet specific climb rate criteria to ensure obstacle clearance in the event of an engine failure during takeoff.

While aircraft-engine failures can be a cause for concern, advancements in technology, rigorous maintenance practices, pilot training, and safety regulations have significantly reduced the risks associated with these incidents. The overall danger of aircraft-engine failures has been minimized, and modern aircraft are designed to handle such situations safely.

United 328’s In-Flight Engine Failure

 

The No. 4 engine on the Airbus A380 engine suffered an uncontained failure 

during a flight Sunday from Paris to Los Angeles

What Happens when an aircraft's engine Fails?

1.Thrust imbalance: When an engine fails, there is a thrust imbalance as the failed engine no longer produces any thrust while the functioning engine continues to do so. This thrust imbalance creates a yawing moment, causing the aircraft to yaw towards the side of the failed engine.

2.Yaw control: To counter the yawing moment and maintain control of the aircraft, the pilots use the rudder and apply pressure on the corresponding rudder pedal. If the engine fails on the right side, the pilot applies left rudder, and if it fails on the left side, the pilot applies right rudder. This helps control the yaw and prevent the aircraft from entering a spiraling dive.

3. Performance reduction: Losing an engine in a twin-engine aircraft results in a 50% reduction in total power or thrust. However, in terms of performance, an engine failure can lead to a loss of around 70% of performance. This is because an engine failure creates additional drag due to control surface deflection (rudder, ailerons, and spoilers) and sideslip

4. Control difficulties: An engine failure during takeoff can be particularly challenging because the aircraft is flying at a low-speed, high-thrust regime, which reduces control effectiveness. Pilots must be precise with their control inputs to maintain control of the aircraft

5. Possible emergency procedures: Depending on the severity of the engine failure and the phase of flight, the pilots may need to perform emergency procedures such as rejected takeoff, emergency descent, fuel dumping, or changing the flight level. The specific actions taken will depend on the aircraft type, the operating procedures, and the guidance provided by the aircraft manufacturer.

 

Conclusion

When a commercial plane, such as an Airbus or Boeing, experiences an engine failure, it can still continue to fly and land safely. Modern jet engines are designed to withstand failures and are less susceptible to mechanical issues compared to piston engines. Even if an engine fails, advancements in aerodynamic engineering have made it possible for airplanes to fly safely for several hours with only one functioning engine.

When an engine fails in a multi-engine aircraft, such as a twin-engine plane, there is a thrust imbalance as the failed engine no longer produces thrust while the operative engine continues to do so. This thrust imbalance can cause the aircraft to yaw or turn towards the inoperative engine. To counteract this yaw, pilots use the rudder pedals to apply force to the vertical stabilizer, generating a force in the yaw axis and controlling the aircraft's movement.

During takeoff, engine failure is a critical situation, and pilots are trained to handle it. There is a decision speed called V1, which is the speed beyond which the takeoff must be continued even in the event of an engine failure, as stopping safely may not be possible above this speed. Pilots use the rudder to control the aircraft's drift towards the dead engine during takeoff with an engine failure.

It's important to note that engine failures during takeoff have serious safety implications, and regulations require multi-engine aircraft to meet specific climb rate criteria to ensure obstacle clearance in the event of an engine failure. Certification criteria for these aircraft demand compliance with minimum specified engine-out climb gradients and obstacle clearance criteria.

In summary, commercial planes like Airbus or Boeing can still fly with one engine failed, thanks to the reliability of modern jet engines and the skills of pilots trained to handle such situations.

The pilot will trim the rudder when one of the engines fails