Asymmetric Thrust and Control on a Multi-Engine Go-Around
You are flying a light twin (counter-rotating props, critical engine not a factor) on a visual approach at 1 200 ft AGL, gear down, flaps 15°, both engines operating, VREF 95 kt. At about 400 ft AGL on short final the right engine loses power abruptly; the aircraft yaws right and the right-engine fire warning illuminates. You are still above the runway threshold with sufficient runway remaining to land. Your company SOP requires a go-around for any unstable approach but also mandates an immediate landing for an engine fire. Density altitude is near sea level; OAT +28 °C.
1. Decide between continuing to land and executing a go-around, and justify it using performance and procedural reasoning.
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The fire warning is the decisive input. An engine fire is a time-critical emergency; the SOP's go-around-for-unstable-approach rule is subordinate to the emergency-landing rule. You are at 400 ft AGL with runway remaining and the aircraft is still controllable - this is the best opportunity to get on the ground.
Performance check: at sea-level pressure altitude and +28 °C the single-engine climb gradient would be marginal at best with gear down and flaps 15°, and a go-around would require reconfiguring (gear up, flaps up) while managing a fire and asymmetric thrust at low altitude - a high-workload, low-margin manoeuvre. Continuing to land keeps you within the runway and avoids exposing you to a single-engine climb at high density altitude.
Decision: continue the approach, land, and execute the engine-fire drill on the ground.
2. Describe the control inputs and configuration actions you would prioritize in the final 400 ft.
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- Control yaw first: apply rudder into the live engine (left rudder for a right-engine failure) to hold heading; use aileron to keep wings level. Do not chase the yaw with pitch.
- Maintain VREF or slightly above: do not let speed decay below VREF; a single-engine go-around at low speed is the dangerous case.
- Identify and secure: confirm the failed engine, then run the fire drill - fuel, mixture, ignition, and firewall shutoff as per the checklist - while flying.
- Land: keep the approach stable, touch down, and use differential braking/steering to keep directional control. Expect asymmetric thrust on the runway and be ready for a swing.
- Evacuate if the fire persists after shutdown.