Emergency Procedures Every Pilot Should Know

Engine failure: ABCDE

1. Airspeed: best glide, trim.
2. Best field: within glide distance, into the wind if possible.
3. Checklist: restart attempt if altitude allows.
4. Declare: 121.5 or current frequency, squawk 7700.
5. Execute: fly to the field and secure the engine.

Engine failure right after takeoff at low altitude: land generally straight ahead with small turns. Turning back to the runway from a low altitude is a common fatal mistake.

Fire

Engine fire in flight: follow the POH, usually fuel off, mixture idle cutoff, emergency descent. Electrical fire: master off, vents per POH, land as soon as possible.

Electrical failure

Shed load, use a handheld radio if you have one, and land as soon as practical.

Lost communications

Squawk 7600, watch for light gun signals at towered airports, and follow 14 CFR 91.185 if IFR.

Lost: the C's

Climb, Communicate, Confess, Comply, and Conserve fuel.

Declaring an emergency

Declare early. Under 14 CFR 91.3, the PIC may deviate from rules to the extent needed to handle an emergency.