Plain English Meaning

The fire inside a jet engine goes out while the engine is running, so the engine stops producing power.

Full 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.

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 .