Final answer:
After an engine failure, pilots must expertly manage glide and airspeed to ensure a safe landing. The incident of a 767 gliding to a safe landing at Gimli Station illustrates such an emergency response. The aircraft must maintain lift, considering factors like air density and Bernoulli's principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an aircraft experiences engine failure at low altitude and airspeed, immediate action is required to ensure safety and attempt a successful landing. A notable incident illustrating these procedures is the case of the 767 that took off from Montreal heading for Edmonton, Canada. During the flight, the aircraft lost all power due to engine failure caused by a lack of fuel, effectively turning the plane into a powerless glider.
Despite the extreme situation, Captain Robert Pearson, an experienced glider pilot, along with First Officer Maurice Quintal, managed to handle the aircraft expertly. They made the decision to divert to Gimli Station, a former Royal Air Force base, which was still being used as a community airport. Their combined efforts, including maintaining optimal lift and airspeed, allowed them to glide the plane to safety, ultimately landing with buckled landing gear but ensuring all passengers were safe.
In terms of physics, another key aspect of flight is Bernoulli's principle and the creation of lift. To maintain sufficient lift, the airspeed over the wing's upper surface must be higher than below it. For a cruising speed of 245 m/s and at an altitude where air density is one-fourth that at sea level, air must move even faster over the upper surface to create the needed lift, taking into account the additional contributions to lift from the aircraft's body, engine thrust, and the effects of turbulence.