Definition
An unintended loss of combustion in a turbine engine, resulting in a sudden loss of engine power. A flameout occurs when the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber stops burning, even though the engine is still rotating.
Plain English
The fire inside a jet engine goes out while the engine is running, so the engine stops producing power.
Context Anchor
Used in turbine-engine operations, emergency procedures, and reports of sudden power loss in jet or turboprop aircraft.
Derivation
A straightforward compound of 'flame' and 'out' — literally, the flame goes out. The term comes from early jet engine operations where pilots would observe the combustion flame in the engine extinguishing in flight.
Why Pilots Care
A flameout causes sudden loss of thrust and requires immediate restart or diversion procedures.
Intuition Check
A flameout is not an engine fire or an explosion. It means the normal burning inside the engine has stopped.
Example Sentence 1
The crew experienced a flameout at high altitude after flying through heavy precipitation, and followed the checklist to attempt an air restart.
Example Sentence 2
After a flameout at cruise altitude the crew ran the restart checklist and recovered the engine.