Definition
An in-flight situation in which the engine produces no usable thrust, requiring the pilot to fly the airplane as a glider and execute a forced landing using only the airplane's stored energy (altitude and airspeed).
Plain English
The engine has stopped producing power entirely, so the airplane can no longer climb or maintain level flight. The pilot must glide down and land using the height and speed they already have.
Context Anchor
Seen in emergency procedures and in gliding-turn practice, where the pilot may need to turn toward a safe landing area after losing engine power.
Derivation
Complete comes from a Latin word meaning “filled up” or “made whole.” Here it means total, with nothing left out. Power refers to the engine’s ability to produce force to move the airplane. Failure means that ability has stopped working.
Why Pilots Care
Demands immediate establishment of best glide speed and selection of a landing site without engine assistance.
Grounding Statement
Even with no engine power, the airplane is still flyable; it is descending through the air instead of being driven forward by the engine.
Intuition Check
Complete power failure does not mean the airplane stops flying or becomes uncontrollable. It means the engine is providing no usable power, so the pilot must fly the airplane as a glide.
Example Sentence 1
After a complete power failure, the pilot pitched for best glide speed and turned toward the nearest field.
Example Sentence 2
A complete power failure shortly after takeoff requires an immediate turn toward the nearest suitable landing area.