A year ago today the Grand Caravan pictured above operated by Grant Aviation crashed during its takeoff phase of flight in Alaska. Although N208SM did not experience an engine failure, I thought that today would be as good a day as any to review the Emergency Procedures for Engine Failure Immediately After Takeoff for Cessna Model 208B (675 SHP).
Us as pilots know, the worst time to experience an engine failure is during the takeoff phase of flight. This situation is also when pilots can have the least amount of time to react and usually seem to make the worst decisions. Including making the ill-advised decision to turn back towards the airport when they are too low to the ground. Forgetting simple Private Pilot 101 lessons of Aerodynamic Forces in Flight Maneuvers. Their fear induced large bank angle to get them back to the airport results in a large reduction in airspeed further resulting in a stall and crash.
Another reason that I would like to review this emergency procedure is because as a Skydive Pilot I realize that at this time of year there are a lot of new Caravan Pilots. Skydivers jump year round in most parts of the world, however a considerably larger amount of skydiving is done during the Summer months. A new season usually equals new Caravan pilots. As you might have read in some of my past articles, most of the Jump Pilot hiring is done during the month of April (in the Northern Hemisphere) and that is done to get them ready for the busy Summer months.
Please remember that these Emergency Procedures found below are for the Cessna Model 208B (675 SHP) and no others. If you are flying a different model Caravan, please review your aircraft's FAA approved Abbreviated Checklist or Airplane Flight Manual for that specific model. Also, under no circumstances should the procedures found below be used for flight operations in any aircraft.
As stated in the Pilots' Abbreviated Checklist published by Cessna, here are the procedures for:
Engine Failure Immediately After Takeoff
- Airspeed - 85 KIAS with 20 DEGREES FLAPS
- Propeller - FEATHER
- Wing Flaps - FULL DOWN
- Fuel Condition Lever - CUTOFF
- Fuel Shutoff - OFF (pull out)
- Fuel Tank Selectors - OFF (warning horn will sound)
- Battery - OFF
If you have finished the above procedures and have double checked them all and you still have altitude (time) you should proceed with the Emergency Landing Without Engine Power procedures found in your aircraft's FAA approved Abbreviated Checklist or Airplane Flight Manual.
My fellow Caravan Pilots, please remember to review often, fly safe so that you can continue to have fun!
