The field to the left of the nose might be ûmakeable, but watch out for the bushes short ûof the field. The water is another good bet.

There has never been a shortage of talk about dealing with an engine failure in a single engine airplane. Most of the lessons focus on being ready, with your out already planned in your mind. Too often lost is a consideration of just how to select a target for an off-airport landing.

Just for yuks, let’s say the engine has quit, and you (the dutiful pilot) have done what you can to restart it – but it just isn’t coming back to life. Also, because you’re a dutiful pilot, we’ll assume the fuel tanks are not empty. We are also going to assume you’re not stuck in IMC over mountains…