Total Loss Of Engine Power In Flight - Cub Crafters CC18-180 Pilot Operating Handbook

CUB CRAFTERS SECTION 3
CC18-180 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
3.4.3

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN FLIGHT

If the engine loses power, whether this is a total or a
partial loss of power or if the engine runs roughly, the
most important thing to do is to continue flying the
aircraft, maintaining a safe airspeed. Trim the aircraft as
required. In case of a total loss of power, the best glide
speed is 68 mph or 59 knots (IAS) with flaps up.
The CC18-180 will glide 1.2 nautical miles for every 1000
feet of altitude loss. The rate of descent will be
approximately 820 feet per minute. Most GPS have a
"Direct to" function that shows the closest airports. Use
charts to assess the topography of airports in the
immediate vicinity.
If there is enough altitude, try to determine the cause of
failure. In most cases, the reason is fuel exhaustion due
to the selector being on an empty tank. Switching to the
BOTH position or to the opposite tank causes fuel to feed
to the engine. However, power will not be restored until
the air in the fuel lines is flushed out, and this may take a
few seconds.
Another common cause of engine failure is carburetor
ice. Unfortunately, if this is the case, an excessively rich
air/fuel mixture may have cooled the engine to the point
where there may not be sufficient hot air in the engine
compartment to melt the accumulation of carburetor ice,
even when the carburetor heat control is in the full "hot"
position. At this point, the engine will cease to develop
enough power to maintain airspeed and altitude. It is of
the utmost importance that the guidelines concerning the
use of the carburetor heat given in paragraph 7.5.6 (Air
induction system) of this manual be followed closely.
Issued: 05/31/05 REPORT TC10000AFM
Date of Revision: 11/20/12 Page Number: 3-17