Definition
An approach to landing flown in a multi-engine airplane after one engine has failed or been shut down, with the remaining engine providing thrust. The pilot manages asymmetric thrust, reduced climb performance, and limited go-around capability while configuring the airplane for landing.
Plain English
Landing a twin-engine airplane using only one working engine. The pilot has to fly the approach knowing the airplane is harder to control and may not be able to climb away if the landing has to be abandoned.
Context Anchor
Encountered in multiengine emergency training and in procedures for returning to land after an engine failure.
Derivation
Approach comes from older French and Latin roots meaning “to come nearer.” In aviation, an approach is the part of flight where the airplane comes nearer to the runway to land; single-engine tells you that this is being done with only one engine producing power.
Why Pilots Care
Correct execution maintains aircraft control despite asymmetric thrust and reduced power, enabling a safe landing.
Grounding Statement
Picture a twin-engine airplane returning to land with one engine quiet and the pilot using the remaining engine carefully to stay lined up with the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as an approach made by a single-engine airplane. In this context, it means an approach made by a multiengine airplane with only one engine operating.
Example Sentence 1
After shutting down the right engine, the pilot briefed the crew for a single-engine approach into the nearest suitable airport.
Example Sentence 2
On final, the crew completed the single-engine approach checklist and touched down at the recommended airspeed.