For most passengers, the idea of an engine failure mid-flight is terrifying. But for pilots, it’s a scenario trained for extensively—and modern aircraft are designed to handle it safely. Here’s what actually happens when an engine stops working at 35,000 feet.
The Immediate Moment
When an engine fails, pilots don’t panic. They follow a carefully choreographed sequence:
- Identify: Determine which engine has failed (throttle manipulation, instruments)
- Confirm: Verify the failure through multiple indicators
- Secure: Shut down the affected engine to prevent damage
- Restart: Attempt restart if conditions permit
- Divert: Land at nearest suitable airport if restart fails
The entire process takes about 30-45 seconds for experienced crews.
Can the Plane Still Fly?
Absolutely. Commercial aircraft are certified to fly on one engine—a requirement called ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards).
Key facts about single-engine flight:
- Modern twin-engine aircraft can fly over 5 hours on one engine
- The remaining engine can maintain cruising altitude (though at a lower level)
- Aircraft can safely land at any diversion airport within range
The ETOPS Revolution
Before the 1980s, twin-engine aircraft were restricted from long overwater routes. ETOPS changed everything:
| ETOPS Rating | Max Diversion Time | Example Routes |
|---|---|---|
| ETOPS 120 | 2 hours | Transatlantic (northern routes) |
| ETOPS 180 | 3 hours | Most transoceanic routes |
| ETOPS 240+ | 4+ hours | Direct polar routes, deep Pacific |
The Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 have ETOPS ratings up to 370 minutes—over 6 hours of single-engine flying.
What Passengers Experience
If you’re on a flight with an engine failure, you might notice:
- Noise change: The engines sound different—one side quieter
- Vibration: Possible shuddering as the failed engine winds down
- Altitude drop: The aircraft descends to a more efficient single-engine altitude
- Banking: Pilots use rudder to counteract asymmetric thrust
What you probably won’t notice: panic. Cockpit crews train for this in simulators every six months.
Famous Engine Failure Events
United 232 (1989)
A DC-10 lost all hydraulic systems after an engine explosion. Pilots used differential thrust alone to crash-land at Sioux City. Of 296 aboard, 185 survived—considered a remarkable achievement in CRM (Crew Resource Management).
Qantas 32 (2010)
An A380 engine disintegrated over Indonesia, damaging fuel, hydraulic, and control systems. The crew landed safely after a 2-hour emergency. This event led to design changes in Rolls-Royce engines worldwide.
Southwest 1380 (2018)
An engine fan blade failed, sending debris into the fuselage. One passenger died—the first U.S. airline fatality since 2009. The aircraft landed safely in Philadelphia.
Why Engines Fail
Modern jet engines are incredibly reliable, but failures do occur:
- Bird strikes: Large birds can damage fan blades
- Fan blade fatigue: Metal cracks over thousands of cycles
- Fuel system issues: Contamination or pump failures
- Foreign object damage: Debris on runways
Engine manufacturers now design for “contained failures”—even if internal parts break, the engine casing prevents debris from escaping.
The Safety Record
Despite dramatic headlines, engine failures rarely result in crashes:
- Commercial jets experience roughly 1 engine failure per 100,000 flight hours
- Most failures result in safe landings at diversion airports
- Multi-engine aircraft have multiple redundant systems
What This Means for Travelers
The next time you’re on a flight and hear an unusual noise, remember:
- Pilots have trained for hundreds of failure scenarios
- Aircraft are designed to fly with one engine
- ETOPS ensures diversion airports are always within range
- The most dangerous part of your flight is the drive to the airport
Engine failures make headlines precisely because they’re rare and dramatic—not because they’re deadly.