Task IX.A
Emergency Descent
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with emergency descent.
Note: See Appendix 2: Safety of Flight.
References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Quick Review
Establish the descent per the POH:
- Power: idle
- Configuration: as published
- Bank: 30–45°
- Airspeed: recommended speed, +0/−10 kt
Tolerances per FAA-S-ACS-6C (ASEL).
Study Notes
I need one when altitude itself is the threat:
- Cabin fire or smoke
- Engine fire
- Rapid decompression (in pressurized aircraft)
The goal is maximum practical descent rate to get on the ground — or to breathable air — as fast as the airframe safely allows (AFH ch 18).
Three reasons:
- The bank keeps a positive load on the wings while the nose drops (avoiding a zero-G pushover)
- It increases drag so the airplane can descend steeply without overspeeding
- The turning descent lets me clear the airspace and ground below before committing down through it (AFH ch 18)
If the descent is for a fire, keep the turn going — descend in a spiral over the landing site. A fire is a land-immediately emergency, so I pick the field first and spiral down on top of it: the continuous turn holds positive G, keeps me clearing the air below, and keeps the field made the whole way down (AFH ch 18, POH).
Follow the POH — some procedures use gear/flaps extended at their limit speeds for drag, others use a clean high-speed descent.
Smooth air: I can descend up to VNE if the emergency truly demands it.
Turbulence: the ceiling is VNO or VA.
The ACS standard is the POH-recommended airspeed at +0/−10 kt (AFH ch 18, POH).
In a carbureted trainer I use carburetor heat, and I clear the engine periodically with a short application of power (and avoid shock-cooling considerations on prolonged idle descents) so power is available at the bottom — unless the descent is for an engine fire, in which case the POH may call for keeping it shut down (AFH ch 18, POH).
Level off with enough altitude margin to recover smoothly (the examiner will specify an altitude), or continue to a landing if the emergency is real — a cabin fire is a land-immediately event, possibly off-airport. Plan the rollout point during the descent, not at the bottom (AFH ch 18).
- Clearing for traffic before and during the descent (this is a fast trip through a lot of airspace)
- Avoiding excessive load factor and airspeed during the entry
- Task prioritization while running the associated emergency checklist
- Altitude awareness so the recovery isn't rushed (ACS IX.A R1–R4)
Official ACS elementsreference
Knowledge4 elements
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
PA.IX.A.K1Situations that would require an emergency descent (e.g., depressurization, smoke, or engine fire).PA.IX.A.K2Immediate action items and emergency procedures.PA.IX.A.K3Airspeed, including airspeed limitations.PA.IX.A.K4Aircraft performance and limitations.
Risk Management4 elements
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
PA.IX.A.R1Altitude, wind, terrain, obstructions, gliding distance, and available landing distance considerations.PA.IX.A.R2Collision hazards.PA.IX.A.R3Configuring the airplane.PA.IX.A.R4Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
Skills8 elements
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
PA.IX.A.S1Clear the area.PA.IX.A.S2Establish and maintain the appropriate airspeed and configuration appropriate to the scenario specified by the evaluator and as covered in Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) for the emergency descent.PA.IX.A.S3Maintain orientation, divide attention appropriately, and plan and execute a smooth recovery.PA.IX.A.S4Use bank angle between 30° and 45° to maintain positive load factors during the descent.PA.IX.A.S5Maintain appropriate airspeed +0/-10 knots, and level off at a specified altitude ±100 feet.PA.IX.A.S6Complete the appropriate checklist(s).PA.IX.A.S7Make radio calls as appropriate.PA.IX.A.S8Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.