What would happen when a jet travelling at Mach 10 experiences engine failure

In summary, if a hypersonic jet (Mach 10) experiences sudden engine failure at high altitude, it could either continue traveling forward while slowly decelerating and descending, giving the pilot a chance to attempt a controlled engine restart, or it could experience catastrophic Mach Buffet, drag divergence, or Mach Tuck and go into a spin. The outcome would depend on the design of the jet. If the engine failure occurs while traveling within the mesosphere instead of the stratosphere, it may have a different effect on the outcome. The SR-71, which traveled at Mach 3, had problems with engine shutdown during flight, causing difficulties in control.
  • #1
NinHursag
1
0
If a hypersonic jet (Mach 10) were to experience sudden engine failure at high altitude what would happen? Would it continue traveling forward, slowly decelerating and descending, thereby giving the pilot chance to attempt a controlled engine restart? Or would the jet experience catastrophic Mach Buffet, drag divergence or Mach Tuck and go into a spin? If such a jet were to experience engine failure while traveling within the mesosphere rather than the stratosphere would this have any effect on the outcome? Thanks.
 
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  • #2
It would depend on the design of the jet. Depending on a number of things I suppose anyone of your suggestions could occur.
 
  • #3
Although it "only" traveled at Mach 3, the SR-71 had problems with the engines shutting off during flight. If the flight conditions changed to rapidly for the control system and the shockwave wasn't in the right place it would cause the internal pressure to build up and the engine would shut off. If this only happened to one engine it would create very strong yawing moment and make the aircraft difficult to control.
 

Related to What would happen when a jet travelling at Mach 10 experiences engine failure

1. What exactly is Mach 10 and how fast is it?

Mach 10 is a measurement of speed that refers to traveling at 10 times the speed of sound. The speed of sound varies depending on factors such as altitude and air temperature, but on average it is around 767 miles per hour. This means that Mach 10 would be approximately 7,670 miles per hour.

2. How likely is it for a jet traveling at Mach 10 to experience engine failure?

Engine failure can happen to any type of aircraft, regardless of its speed. However, the likelihood of engine failure increases with higher speeds, such as Mach 10. The engines on a jet traveling at such high speeds are put under immense stress and can potentially fail due to a variety of factors such as mechanical issues, human error, or external conditions.

3. What are the potential consequences of engine failure at Mach 10?

The consequences of engine failure at Mach 10 can be severe. The sudden loss of power and propulsion can cause the jet to lose control and potentially crash. The high speed of the jet also means that any impact or collision with other objects, such as other aircraft or the ground, can be catastrophic.

4. What safety measures are in place to prevent engine failure at Mach 10?

The aviation industry has strict safety protocols in place to prevent engine failure at high speeds. These include regular maintenance and inspections of the engines, as well as thorough training for pilots and crew members. Additionally, aircraft manufacturers continuously work to improve engine technology and design to make them more reliable at high speeds.

5. Can a jet safely land with only one functioning engine at Mach 10?

In most cases, a jet traveling at Mach 10 would not be able to safely land with only one functioning engine. However, modern aircraft are equipped with multiple engines to provide redundancy in case of engine failure. In the event of engine failure at Mach 10, the pilot would likely have to attempt an emergency landing at the nearest suitable airport. The success of this landing would depend on various factors such as the pilot's skill and the condition of the remaining engine.

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