I’m having the same issue. My engine cuts out completely and it’s not just when pressing Esc.
I thought it was a VR thing at first, as it would happen if I pressed my Reverb’s controller (to go to the WMR portal) but when I returned to the flight in VR mode, my engine cut out.
It only started the other day, after updating the sim.
edit: As soon as you go back into your flight, quickly move your mixture lever down & back up, before the engine cuts out.
Not ideal but it works.
Regards
Steve