@anon50268670 @Parorng @JPerez1690
All good discussion and advice. One detail that is being left out here is that it is of paramount importance for the VFR single engine pilot, in particular, to be constantly looking for possible landing locations. In heavily populated regions, (as compared to where I fly), even rural areas will have a plethora of landing spots. Fields, roads, even small airfields. When flying in mountainous or heavily forested country, the options are very limited.
Altitude is your friend in the case of an engine failure. Too often pilots fly in these sparse areas down where they can get a nice view of the ground. Its pretty down there, right up until something goes sour. I try to keep as much air under me as possible. Sightseeing is not my primary goal. Survival is.
The option of turning downwind when the mill fails is not generally an option in the bush. You need to turn toward the nearest option, now. There may have been one opening you spotted two miles back, into the wind. If you aren’t sure there is another option in other directions, don’t go looking. Concentrate on getting to where you know there is one.
Remember, cruising 1000 ft off the tree tops in your 172 will leave you with 1.7 miles to be rolling on the ground. Chances are you will be trying to put the structure between two nice big fuzzy trees to break your fall.
5000 ft will give you 8.5 miles to get back to your last confirmed safe spot. 9000 ft will give you 15.3. If flying in high country, 9000 ft ASL may only be 4000 or 5000 AGL or less in extreme cases. You need to be marking on your map, every viable landing spot you pass over. I draw a box with a red pen and put a number, 1 to 5, indicating what I consider the survivability if I had to land there.
Do not take this lightly. My instructor used to randomly pull the power off in or near the circuit. Great way to practice quick glide handling and getting the radio calls and cockpit securing details hammered into the brain, but of absolutely no value to prepare you for cruising up the Amazon at 1500 agl looking for some little village bush strip.
Bottom line? Get some air under your wings. Know where you would land at any given moment, IF the engine failed right now. Have a plan. Know your restart checklist by rote. Do not delay in getting the aircraft turned to the nearest option and trim that glide speed. Once that is done, now you have time to explore options and get the checklists done. If carrying passengers, do a solid briefing to give them the best chance at survival.
Once you are committed to putting it down, Be a pro. If the opportunity, (altitude) is there to pass over mid field, take it. Nothing better than having a last look at obstacles before they become a surprise. A mid field crossing also gives you a chance to confirm surface wind and you can turn left or right without endangering your approach. May need to land with a slight tail wind if you determine there are 90ft spruce trees at the threshold on your desired direction and some willow scrub at the other end.
You only have a handful of options available to you as the coughing engine begins. Don’t waste any by being too low, delaying decisions, looking for alternates. Time and altitude are passing with every second and each one of those seconds need to be useful.