How Aircraft Are Designed to Operate During an Engine Failure
Modern aircraft are by any measure extremely safe. However, on occasion issues do arise during flight, like engine failures. While they are rare, they do happen. The good news is that modern aircraft are designed to be able to operate safely even with an engine out.
Passengers on a recent Emirates flight experienced this firsthand. An A380 lost an engine 20 minutes into its flight from Toronto to Dubai and issued a PAN-PAN call (meaning a situation is urgent but does not necessarily pose an immediate danger to either passengers or the aircraft) to Air Traffic Control (ATC). The aircraft was able to dump fuel to reduce landing weight and then return safely to Toronto about two hours after take-off. While you might think that flying around for a couple of hours with an engine out is a bad idea, the reality of the situation is that the aircraft is designed and tested to do just that, and do it safely.
While the A380 is equipped with four engines, most modern aircraft fly with only two. But even twin-engine planes are designed to be able to take off, fly and land safely with only one engine in operation.
That's because most modern twin-engine commercial aircraft have an Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operational Performance Standard (ETOPS) rating. ETOPS means that the aircraft is certified to fly on a single engine safely for a specified period of time denoted in minutes: ETOPS 60, ETOPS 120, with some aircraft certified for ETOPS 180 and even 240. The ETOPS flight time allows aircraft to fly more direct routes between city pairs rather than having to route to stay within a close flying time of a safe diversion airport.
So, if you're on a flight and your aircraft experiences the lost of a single engine, assuming the loss wasn't catastrophic and did not cause damage to the aircraft, the odds of you being able to safely divert are quite high.
An even more rare event is a dual engine failure during flight, like what happened to US Airways Flight 1549 in 2009 after departing LaGuardia Airport (LGA). In what became known as the 'Miracle on the Hudson', Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was able to safely land his A320 on the Hudson River after experiencing a dual-engine failure from striking a flock of birds shortly after departure.
Related: Passenger From 'Miracle On Hudson' Flight Sees Capt. Sully 10 Years Later
Another well-known flight that experienced a dual engine failure was Air Canada Flight 143. The Boeing 767 was flying from Montreal to Edmonton when it experienced a dual-engine flame out in flight. The plane would come to be known as the Gimli Glider, because the pilot was able to fly the plane as a glider and get it safely back on the ground, even without engines in operation.
Bottom Line
If you're on an aircraft that experiences an engine failure, stay calm. Modern aircraft are designed to be able to safely operate for extended periods of time with an engine out. While it might be a bit nerve-wracking to think about, the odds of you getting safely back on the ground are extremely high. Just be sure to listen to the flight crew's instructions to ensure that you and those around you remain safe during an emergency situation.
For the latest travel news, deals, and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.