When the PF considers descent after engine failure, what action does the PF take regarding speed?

When the PF considers descent after engine failure, what action does the PF take regarding speed?

• A. Maintains current speed
• B. Reduces speed to stall
• C. Accelerates to maximum thrust
• D. Sets speed and pulls

Answer: (D)

When an engine fails, the priority becomes control and energy management in the descent. The pilot flying should establish a safe target airspeed and then hold it by applying back-pressure as needed. Setting a defined speed gives you a stable glide angle, maintains enough stability and margin from stall, and keeps the aircraft controllable while you address the failed engine and plan for restart or a suitable landing. Simply continuing at the current speed can be unsafe because the loss of thrust changes the airplane’s performance and can lead to an out-of-control or stall-prone condition. Dropping toward stall speed or accelerating to maximum thrust during descent also disrupts the glide path and wastes energy. Therefore, the best practice is to set the speed and maintain it by pulling to hold that airspeed.

When an engine fails, the priority becomes control and energy management in the descent. The pilot flying should establish a safe target airspeed and then hold it by applying back-pressure as needed. Setting a defined speed gives you a stable glide angle, maintains enough stability and margin from stall, and keeps the aircraft controllable while you address the failed engine and plan for restart or a suitable landing. Simply continuing at the current speed can be unsafe because the loss of thrust changes the airplane’s performance and can lead to an out-of-control or stall-prone condition. Dropping toward stall speed or accelerating to maximum thrust during descent also disrupts the glide path and wastes energy. Therefore, the best practice is to set the speed and maintain it by pulling to hold that airspeed.