What Happens If a Helicopter Engine Fails?
Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters have a unique safety feature called autorotation that allows pilots to safely land the aircraft even if the engine completely fails, turning the rotor into a windmill driven by upward airflow for a controlled descent and landing.
What Happens If a Helicopter Engine Fails: Autorotation Explained
Engine failure in a helicopter is extremely rare due to rigorous maintenance and design redundancy, but helicopters are uniquely equipped to handle it safely through autorotation—a proven emergency procedure taught to every pilot.
KiliFlying Air pilots undergo regular autorotation training in simulators and aircraft to ensure calm, precise execution in the unlikely event of power loss.
This guide details the autorotation process, physics involved, pilot actions, height considerations, twin-engine advantages, and real-world safety record.
Understanding Autorotation
Autorotation turns the main rotor into a freely spinning windmill. When engine power is lost, the pilot immediately lowers the collective pitch, reducing rotor blade angle and allowing upward airflow (created by descent) to drive the rotor blades.
This maintains rotor RPM and aerodynamic control, enabling the pilot to steer and manage descent rate throughout the emergency.
Step-by-Step Pilot Response
Upon detecting engine failure, the pilot instantly enters autorotation by lowering collective, applying pedal to maintain rotor balance, and selecting a suitable landing site.
During descent, the pilot manages airspeed for optimal rotor energy storage. Just before touchdown, a flare and collective pull cushions the landing using stored rotor energy.
Height and Success Factors
Autorotation is most effective above 500 feet, providing time for site selection and controlled approach. Skilled pilots can successfully autorotate from much lower heights, with documented safe landings from 40-50 feet.
Regular practice ensures muscle memory and precision execution.
Twin-Engine Helicopter Advantage
Twin-engine helicopters can continue normal powered flight if one engine fails, as the remaining engine automatically compensates. KiliFlying Air offers twin-engine options for added redundancy on certain routes.
Single-engine helicopters rely on autorotation, which remains highly effective with proper training.
Training and Safety Record
Pilots practice autorotations extensively during training and recurrent checks. Modern helicopters include warning systems alerting to impending issues before complete failure.
The combination of design, training, and maintenance results in an outstanding safety record for professional helicopter operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autorotation makes helicopters remarkably safe even in engine failure scenarios. Fly confidently with KiliFlying Air's highly trained pilots and well-maintained fleet.