What Happens if One Engine Fails Mid-Flight?

The truth about engine failures and why modern planes can handle them safely

9 min read Safety Education

The idea of an engine failing mid-air can sound terrifying — especially if you're a nervous flyer. But here's something most people don't realize: modern commercial planes are designed to fly safely with just one engine.

Engine failure is rare, but even when it does happen, it's a scenario that pilots train for extensively and aircraft are built to handle with ease. In fact, you could still reach your destination on a single engine — though pilots will often choose to land early as a precaution.

How Likely Is an Engine Failure?

Engine failure is extremely rare in modern aviation:

  • Occurs in about 1 in every 1 million flights
  • In most cases, it's partial failure, not complete shutdown
  • When it happens, planes land safely over 99.9% of the time

Thanks to advanced engineering and real-time monitoring, issues are usually detected and managed long before danger ever develops.

Can a Plane Fly With One Engine?

Yes. All commercial jets are required to pass rigorous certification showing they can safely take off, cruise, descend, and land with just one engine.

ETOPS Certification

This is known as ETOPS certification (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards).

ETOPS rules allow twin-engine planes to fly over oceans and remote areas — precisely because they're proven safe on one engine.

What Pilots Do When an Engine Fails

When a pilot detects engine failure, here's the typical sequence:

  1. Maintain control of the aircraft (aviate)
  2. Diagnose the problem using checklists
  3. Shut down the affected engine safely
  4. Notify air traffic control (ATC)
  5. Choose the best airport for diversion (if needed)
  6. Descend and land smoothly

Pilots are specifically trained for this in simulators multiple times a year. It's a known scenario, not an unpredictable panic event.

Does the Plane Start Falling?

No.

If one engine fails:

  • The other engine takes over
  • The plane can still maintain altitude and speed
  • Pilots may descend slightly to reduce engine strain or fuel usage

This is called engine-out cruise, and it's part of standard flight training.

Will the Pilot Land Right Away?

Not necessarily, but often they choose to land at the nearest suitable airport out of caution.

  • ETOPS rules require aircraft to be within a certain flight time of a diversion airport at all times
  • If the remaining engine is operating normally, the flight may continue for up to 60–180 minutes, depending on the aircraft and certification level

Is It Safe for Passengers?

Yes. Engine failure doesn't make the plane unsafe:

  • The aircraft remains fully controllable
  • Life support systems, hydraulics, and instruments still function
  • The biggest impact might be a delay or early landing, not danger

In the rare case this happens, you may not even know until the pilot makes an announcement.

Famous Examples of Single-Engine Landings

  • British Airways Flight 9 (1982): Lost all 4 engines temporarily due to volcanic ash, regained control, and landed safely.
  • Southwest Flight 1380 (2018): Engine damage mid-air, landed safely in Philadelphia.
  • Qantas Flight 32 (2010): Serious engine failure, emergency procedures executed perfectly — all 469 onboard survived.

These stories prove that crew training and aircraft design protect passengers, even in rare engine issues.

Why Engine Failures Are So Rare

Jet engines are incredibly reliable with multiple layers of protection:

  • Jet engines have tens of thousands of flight hours between failures
  • Routine maintenance and inspections catch wear long before failure
  • Real-time monitoring sends engine health data to ground control while flying
  • Pre-flight checks are performed before every single flight

Aircraft engines are one of the most closely monitored mechanical systems in the world.

How to Stay Calm If It Happens

If you're flying and hear there's an engine issue:

  • Know that it's not a crash scenario — it's a manageable event
  • Trust the flight crew — they train extensively for this
  • Use breathing exercises to stay centered
  • Breathe deeply and visualize the plane continuing forward
  • Remember that the aircraft is designed for this exact situation

💡 Pro Tip: The SkyCalm app includes an SOS feature with guided breathing exercises and calming techniques specifically designed for unexpected flight situations.

The Bottom Line

An engine failure might sound dramatic, but it's not the danger Hollywood makes it out to be. Planes are engineered for this, and pilots are experts at handling it.

The reality? Even with one engine, you're still flying — safely, steadily, and in the hands of professionals who know exactly what to do.

Ready to Feel More Confident About Flying?

SkyCalm provides safety education, emergency guidance, and calming techniques to help you understand and manage flight anxiety in any situation.

Download SkyCalm on iOS

Remember

So if your mind races mid-flight, just remember: planes are built for the unexpected — and they've got your back.

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