r/nextfuckinglevel • u/-rbbt • 27d ago

Engine fails during student pilot’s flight

1.9k Upvotes

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276

u/tikojonas 27d ago

Insane that this actually happened. During my lessons they would power down the engines on purpose to show it will not fall to the ground but it will float wherever you’re able to go. He executed it perfect when he needed to.

26

u/brunaBla 26d ago

How does this happen? Is this true for smaller planes only?

16

u/crazy_cookie123 26d ago

Planes stay in the air because of the wings, and the wings don't suddenly disappear when you lose your engines. Planes can glide for quite a while when they lose power provided they have enough altitude.

1

u/brunaBla 26d ago

Thank you for your answer.

I guess I was picturing 747 head on plane crashes and wondered why they couldn’t glide too? But I’m sure a lot of other factors were at play too

9

u/Techwood111 26d ago

They CAN glide, too.