Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

You lost MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

control of the Use the Rudder
Set power for best control
Aileron
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
Is there something you can see that is stopping control?
Can you fly to a large runway?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
If under control, consider that forcing the aileron might move them to a worse and out-
of-control position.

You lost MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

control of the Use the Aileron
Set power for best control
Rudder
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
Is there something you can see that is stopping control?
Can you fly to a large runway facing the wind?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
If under control, consider that forcing the rudder might move it to a worse and out-of-
control position.
Land directly into the wind
Use brakes for steering

You lost MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

control of the Use power to control pitch
Use trim to control pitch (it might be reversed)
Elevator
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
Is there something you can see that is stopping control?
Can you fly to a large runway facing the wind?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
If under control, consider that forcing the elevator might move it to a worse and out-of-
control position.
Combine power and trim for 60 KIAS and 20° flaps then leave trim and control glide
angle with power.
To flare, use trim because power reduction will drop the nose.

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

You lost Yoke MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

control Use rudder for aileron control
Use power to control pitch
Use trim to control pitch (it might be reversed)

ANALYZE THE SITUATION

Is there something you can see that is stopping control?
Can you fly to a large runway facing the wind?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
If under control, consider that forcing the yoke might move it to a worse and out-of-
control position.
Combine power and trim for 60 KIAS and 20° flaps then leave trim and control glide
angle with power.
To flare, use trim because power reduction will drop the nose.

You lost MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

Throttle Use some mixture control to control power.
Do not use Mags to turn engine off and on
control while
Use G-load (steep turns) and/or climbs to control speed
at 2600 RPM
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
Is there something you can see that is stopping throttle?
Can you fly to a large runway?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
Consider that forcing the throttle might move it to idle and stick at idle.
Use some mixture control to control power.
Position aircraft for engine out landing.
Use steep turns and climbs to establish glide speed
Use mixture to turn off engine (and push it back in if needed)

You lost MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

Throttle Establish 65 KIAS glide
control while ANALYZE THE SITUATION
at 1600 RPM Is there something you can see that is stopping throttle?
Can you fly to a runway?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Declare an emergency, squawk 7700
Position aircraft for engine out landing.
Use steep turns and climbs to establish glide speed
Use mixture to turn off engine (and push it back in if needed)

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

You notice MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

your oil
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
pressure is 20 Maybe the oil pressure gauge or relief valve is malfunctioning
psi with A leak in the line to the gauge is not necessarily cause for an immediate precautionary
normal oil landing because an orifice in this line will prevent a sudden loss of oil from the engine
temperature sump.
Ref POH page 3-14
TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
Land at the nearest airport.

You notice MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

your oil
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
pressure is Suspect an imminent engine failure
ZERO psi with
rising oil TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
temperature Reduce engine power.
Ref POH page 3-14 Refer to checklist: EMERGENCY LANDING WITHOUT ENGINE POWER
Use minimum power to reach desired touchdown spot.

The engine is MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

suddenly
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
running rough Suspect a Magneto malfunction
Ref POH page 3-14

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Switch from BOTH to Left then Right to ID the bad Mag
If possible, go to BOTH and select different power settings for best running engine
Enrichen the mixture.
If possible, continue on BOTH to the nearest airport
If required, continue on left or right mag to the nearest airport.

The engine MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

starts to
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
slightly run Suspect spark plug fouling
rough
Ref POH page 3-14 TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
Switch from BOTH to Left then Right to ID the bad Mag
If possible, go to BOTH and lean to recommend lean setting for conditions.
Land if it does not clear in several minutes.
If possible, continue on BOTH to the nearest airport
If required, continue on left or right mag to the nearest airport.

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

The engine MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

starts a
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
gradual Suspect Carburetor icing
decrease in
RPM and TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
eventually Apply full power
starts to run Apply full carb heat until the engine runs smoothly. (don’t push in if engine initially runs
rough more rough, it will take a few moments to flush the melted ice through the system.)
Ref POH page 3-13 Adjust carb heat to prevent carb icing.
Lean for smoothest engine operation.

Your MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

passenger’s
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
sack lunch Where is the nearest airport with first responder capabilities
has caused
an allergic TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
reaction and Apply full power
is she is Declare an emergency and get the fire department going to your intending landing
having location.
Squawk 7700
problems
Don’t overshoot the field by being too fast on final (If required, use G-loads to slow
breathing down.)
Ref POH page 3-13

While GAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

practicing Throttle – Idle
Ailerons – Neutral
power-on
Rudder – Full opposite of rotation
stalls, you Elevator – just after full rudder, push yoke briskly forward enough to break the stall
inadvertently Rudder/Elevator anti-spin controls – hold until rotation stops
entered a Make smooth recovery
spin.
Ref POH page 3-13 See section 4 of POH for more spin information

Your MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

airspeed, Use attitude and known power settings
altimeter and ANALYZE THE SITUATION
rate-of-climb If all static source instruments appear affected, consider a blocked static source
seem
erroneous TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
Ref POH page 3-12 Select the alternate static source
If required, break glass on the rate-of-climb indicator to gain cockpit static air source.
See POH section 5 for details.
Cockpit static air source may cause a maximum airspeed and altimeter variation from
normal up to 4 knots and 30 feet over the normal range with the window closed.

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

You think MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

your left main
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
tire blew If in doubt, land using blown tire procedures.
during takeoff
but you are TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
now airborne Declare an emergency.
Ref POH page 3-8 Make normal approach
Touchdown – Good tire first and hold off flat tire as long as possible.

Engine fire TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

during ground See emergency checklist.
Cranking Continue
start.
If Engine Starts
o Power 1700 RPM for a few minutes
o Engine Shutdown & Inspect Damage

If Engine Fails to Start

o Throttle Full Open
o Mixture Idle Cut-Off
o Cranking Continue (2-3 minutes)
o Fire Extinguisher Use if able
o Engine Secure
o Master Switch Off
o Ignition Switch Off
o Fuel Shutoff Valve Off
o Fire Extinguish

Engine fire MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

during flight.
ANALYZE THE SITUATION

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

See emergency checklist.
Mixture Idle Cut-Off
Fuel Selector Valve Off
Master Switch Off
Cabin Heat and Air Off
Except Overhead Vents
Airspeed 100 KIAS
Faster if required to blow out flames
Forced Landing Execute

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

Electrical fire MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

during flight.
ANALYZE THE SITUATION

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

See emergency checklist.
Master Switch Off
All Other Switches (except Mags) Off
Vents / Cabin Air / Heat Closed
Fire Extinguisher Activate
If fire appears out and electrical power is necessary for continuance of flight:
Master Switch On
Circuit Breakers Check
For faulty circuit, do not reset.
Radio / Electrical Switches On one at a time
Delay after each switch until short circuit is localized
Vents / Cabin Air / Heat Open
When it is ascertained that fire is completely extinguished
Cabin Fire! MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

ANALYZE THE SITUATION

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

See emergency checklist.
Master Switch Off
Vents / Cabin Air / Heat Closed
Fire Extinguisher Activate
Land as soon as possible to inspect damage

Wing Fire! MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

ANALYZE THE SITUATION

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

See emergency checklist.
Nav Light Switch Off
Pitot Heat Switch Off
Perform sideslip to keep flames away from fuel tank and cabin
Land ASAP
Flaps Only If Required

ENGINE MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

FAILURE
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
DURING
TAKE OFF TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
RUN See emergency checklist
Throttle Idle
Brakes Apply
Wing Flaps Retract
Mixture Idle Cut-Off
Ignition Switch Off

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

ENGINE MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

FAILURE
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
IMMEDIATELY
AFTER TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
TAKEOFF See emergency checklist
Airspeed 65 KIAS (Flaps UP)
60 KIAS (Flaps Down)
Fuel Selector Valve Off
Mixture Idle Cut-Off
Ignition Off
Wing Flaps As Required
Master Switch Off

ENGINE MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

FAILURE
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
DURING
FLIGHT TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
(START See emergency checklist
ATTEMPT) Carb. Heat On
Airspeed 65 KIAS
Field Pick
Fuel Selector Valve Both
Mixture Rich
Ignition Switch Both
(or start if propeller is stopped)
Primer In and Locked
Radio Tell Someone (MAYDAY)
Squawk 7700

EMERGENCY MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

LANDING
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
WITHOUT
ENGINE TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
POWER See emergency checklist
(If time is available, Mayday call and squawk 7700)
Airspeed 65 KIAS
Fuel Selector Valve Off
Mixture Idle Cut-Off
Ignition Switch Off
Wing Flaps As Required
Master Switch Off
Doors Unlatch
Touchdown As Slow as Possible
Brakes Apply Heavily

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

YOU HAVE MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

ENGINE
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
POWER BUT
DUE TO LOW TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
FUEL AND See emergency checklist
LOST, YOU Radio Tell Someone (Mayday)
MUST LAND Squawk 7700
OFF AIRPORT Flaps 20°
Airspeed 60 KIAS
EMERGENCY
Field Fly Over
LANDING Radio / Electrical Switches Off
WITH ENGINE Flaps on final 40°
POWER Airspeed 60 KIAS
Master Switch Off
Doors Unlatched
Fuel Selector Valve Off
Touchdown As Slow as Possible
Ignition Switch Off
Brakes Apply Heavily
Fuel Off

THE OVER- MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

VOLTAGE
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
LIGHT IS ON
TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
See emergency checklist
Master Switch Off (both sides)
Master Switch On
If over-voltage light illuminates again:
Flight Terminate ASAP

THE MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

AMMETER
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
SHOWS A
DISCHARGE TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
See emergency checklist
Alternator Off
Nonessential Electrical Equipment Off
Flight Terminate ASAP

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 Cessna 172 Emergency Action Flash Cards

ICE IS MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

BUILDING ON
ANALYZE THE SITUATION
ALL LEADING
EDGES TAKE THE PROPER ACTION
INCLUDING See emergency checklist
THE WINDOW Pitot Heat On
Heading / Altitude Change - Go back, climb, Descent
Cabin Heat Control Full
Defroster Airflow Full
Throttle Full
Carb Ice Watch For Ice
Lean For Max RPM
Land ASAP
¼” ice Increases Stall Speed
Flaps Leave Retracted
Window Open for visibility (if required)
Slip If Required for visibility
Landing Speed 65-75 KIAS
Landing Attitude Level

VACUUM MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL

GAGE IS Consider all gyro instruments inop or wrong
SHOWING 1 ANALYZE THE SITUATION
PSI Is it really low?

TAKE THE PROPER ACTION

Stay VFR if possible
Activate the alternate vacuum
Fly with minimum RPM