Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

The NTSB released <a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/safety-alerts/Documents/SA-091.pdf">Safety Alert SA091</a> urging operators of twin-piston aircraft to understand proper procedures for partial engine failures and to practice handling them. In the guidance,&nbsp;the Safety Board noted that existing training and checklists for multi-engine piston aircraft primarily address total engine failure.
“This gap in training and awareness can result in critical control issues during flight, especially during single-engine operation scenarios,” the NTSB said. “Partial loss of engine power in multi-engine aircraft is often improperly managed, leading to increased risk of loss of control.”
Of concern is the need to properly feather the propeller of an engine that has lost power. However, constant-speed, manually feathering propellers on multi-engine aircraft are equipped with “start locks” that keep propeller blades from going into feather position during a normal engine shutdown on the ground and can engage in flight if the propeller’s rpm drops below a certain threshold.
“Once the propeller rpm decreases below the speed at which the start locks engage, the pilot will be unable to feather the propeller. Feathering is not possible until the propeller rpm increases above this critical speed,” the NTSB noted. However, an engine malfunction may prevent the pilot from increasing the rpm.
“It is imperative, therefore, to feather the propeller before the rpm decreases below the start lock engagement speed,” the Safety Board said. “Delayed propeller feathering in partial loss of engine power scenarios can dangerously result in drag, compromising control and safety.”
The NTSB cited several accidents that may have been avoided if the pilot had been able to feather the propeller. In one case, a Piper PA-30 twin lost power in the right engine on approach to landing and the pilot lost control of the aircraft and crashed, killing two people. The right propeller was found with the start lock engaged in the subsequent investigation.
In another accident during an ATP checkride, a Cessna 310F twin crashed after partial loss of power in the left engine. “The pilot’s delayed feathering of the left propeller and failure to maintain airspeed led to a loss of control and subsequent crash in which the pilot was seriously injured,” the NTSB said, adding that the designated pilot examiner died in the accident.
As a result of these and other accidents, NTSB advised operators to “ensure familiarity with specific criteria and steps for feathering the propellers in your aircraft,” and review the owner’s manual to determine the rpm minimum for feathering. It further suggested that operators regularly practice for such scenarios, ensure all engine controls—including feather—are operative before flight, and discuss these scenarios with other pilots and during training.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

NTSB Urges Twin-piston Pilots To Prep in Case of Engine Loss

NTSB said pilots must feather props in partial engine loss before the spinner slows too much

Citing several accidents, the NTSB issued a safety alert on the need for twin-piston operators to prepare in case of partial engine failure.

NTSB Urges Twin-piston Pilots To Prep for Engine Loss

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

'Wyvern Airways' features expertise from Wyvern team members and industry professionals

Wyvern Launches Podcast Focused on Aviation Safety

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Inman joined the Safety Board in March

NTSB's Inman Among Keynotes in Packed Safety/Regulatory Agenda at BACE

Three-day event typically fills with more than 400 in person and another 1,000 online

Bombardier Safety Standdown Aims To Elevate Influence

Chris Lutat

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Preparation and knowledge make a difference in outcomes

Here’s a Better Idea: Avoid the Fistfight in the First Place

Matt Thurber

Volunteer disaster relief organizations need pilots and aircraft to help move supplies

AeroBridge Activates for Hurricane Helene Rescues

Gordon Gilbert

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Safety

Wyvern Launches Podcast Focused on Aviation Safety

'Wyvern Airways' features expertise from Wyvern team members and industry professionals

NTSB's Inman Among Keynotes in Packed Safety/Regulatory Agenda at BACE

Inman joined the Safety Board in March

Bombardier Safety Standdown Aims To Elevate Influence

Three-day event typically fills with more than 400 in person and another 1,000 online

Here’s a Better Idea: Avoid the Fistfight in the First Place

Preparation and knowledge make a difference in outcomes

AeroBridge Activates for Hurricane Helene Rescues

Volunteer disaster relief organizations need pilots and aircraft to help move supplies

FAA Adopts AD on Tamarack Winglet Components

Directive mandates compliance with an April 2023 service bulletin

NTSB Safety Alerts Emphasizes Proper Use of Aircraft Deicing Systems

Pilots told not to wait for ice accumulation before turning on deicing systems

ACSF Launches Audit Lite Program for Smaller Operators

IAS Lite ensures compliance with SMS requirements

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN