THE SCHIFF SHOW Episode 15 – "ENGINE FAILURE! Prevention, Identification, and Confrontation"
Hosted by renowned pilot and aviation expert CAPTAIN BRIAN SCHIFF
With special guest presenter MARK TOMICICH
We’ll start with a familiar scenario: a VFR cross-country after refueling that turns into an engine problem and an emergency approach in low ceilings and mist. Using the accident sequence—from the first vibration and oil-pressure anomaly through the last-ditch approach to Flagler County—we’ll focus on recognizing engine trouble early, choosing a landing option when options are limited, and avoiding a stall while “stretching” the glide near the ground.
VFR content will cover preflight and maintenance red flags, fuel and configuration decisions, realistic personal weather minimums, and procedures to follow if you lose power near marginal VFR or rising terrain.
IFR content will focus on clear, unambiguous communication with ATC, assessing whether vectors and approach geometry keep the runway within glide range, and controlling airspeed and altitude from cloud break to touchdown. Throughout, we’ll turn the investigation’s findings on oil-starvation engine failure, weak maintenance documentation, and pilot–controller miscommunication into practical checklists, briefing habits, and training scenarios any pilot can use on their very next flight.
What you’ll learn:
- What to say to ATC - Clearly declare the emergency and the actual situation (e.g., “lost all power”) so ATC understands the severity and vectors you with runway and glide range in mind.
- What needs to be prioritized - Treat oil-pressure anomalies, visible leaks, and recent engine work as high-consequence risk factors and be willing to divert early rather than “press on.”
- How to safely reach an emergency landing site - In IMC or marginal VFR, think glide range first: question any vectoring or approach geometry that moves you away from your best landing option when power is in doubt.
- How to maintain aircraft control - Protect airspeed and angle of attack all the way to the ground; resist the urge to “stretch the glide,” especially when breaking out low with obstacles ahead.
- How to make maintenance-related decisions -Handle maintenance and modifications professionally: ensure proper documentation, understand what was done, and verify airworthiness before launching on demanding flights.
- How to create a conservative safety margin -As a VFR pilot, respect how quickly a “simple” trip can turn into an IFR-quality emergency, and set personal weather and fuel/alternate minimums that provide margins when something fails.
* * * * * * * * * *
Our special guest is MARK TOMICICH
Mark Tomicich, a retired senior FAA attorney, will provide a clear regulatory and legal perspective to the case study. Drawing on his agency experience, he will explain how the FAA assesses pilot decision-making, maintenance oversight, and ATC roles in incidents like this.
He’ll discuss what you should (and should not) do or say after an incident or accident. He’ll highlight what “looks good” and what raises red flags to investigators, describe how the post-accident process typically proceeds, and explain how to align your VFR and IFR operations with both the letter and the spirit of the regulations.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Schiff Show is a monthly aviation education variety show hosted by Brian Schiff and sponsored by AVEMCO. It is offered for FAA WINGS credit. Brian will discuss a specific theme across five program segments on the second Thursday of each month. The themes will be chosen from a hit list of common accident causes. Each episode will be one hour long and focus on a particular causal accident factor, and will include the following segments:
- Accident Review
- Procedures
- Techniques
- Technology Tips and Tricks
- Game Time - WIN PRIZES!
Registration is not required. Go to TheSchiffShow.tv at 7:00 PM Central Time on the second Thursday of the month and join the show. All episodes are archived on TheSchiffShow.tv and available to watch (for WINGS credit) anytime after the original air time. (NOTE: you must be watching live to participate in the game show portion.)
The Schiff Show promises to be an hour well spent, which will fly by while you have fun and learn to be a safer pilot.
