Bartholomew Gallacher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2018
- Messages
- 2,943

- SL Rez
- 2002
As long as one engine is still functioning the passengers are pretty safe. Modern airplanes are constructed with that case in mind and are able to fly with one functioning jet engine only. The standard covering this is being called ETOPS or Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards.
Depending on the airplane manufacturer and type an airplane is able to fly from 180 up to 330 minutes with one engine.
Since two engines are nowadays enough, four engines became somewhat less popular. Also due to fuel demands.
ETOPS also means that in worst case your route must be calculated that way that any time the nearest airport you can land on in case of emergency must be in reach within this certified time frame.
In 2003 an airplane from New Zealand e.g. was still flying over three hours with one engine only before landing on Kona, Hawaii.
So yes, not such a nice sight to have, but prayers are only necessary if both engines are burst up into flames and gone.