The engine quits at cruise over farmland

Private pilot · Who you talk to: Approach control, then the examiner

What this case adds

• Choose the general area first and the exact field as you get lower.
• Change the plan only for a clearly better field, and only once.
• Give approach control the full distress message.

Critical fails

• Letting airspeed drift more than 10 knots from best glide.
• Stalling, spinning or flying into terrain while maneuvering low, for example a turn back to the runway without the altitude for it.
• Stretching the glide over obstacles short of the field instead of planning an approach with margin.
• Losing control of the airplane while working the checklist: positive control has priority over configuration and checklist tasks.

Sources

1. FAA-S-ACS-6C, Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards, Area IX Task B https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/private_airplane_acs_6.pdf
2. FAA-H-8083-3C, Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 18: Emergency Procedures https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/19_afh_ch18.pdf
3. FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, 6-3-1 and 6-3-2: Distress and Urgency Communications https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap6_section_3.html

Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by the FAA. The FAA documents are named and linked only to describe what this mold practices; always follow your airplane's POH/AFM and your instructor.